331.69 
W69' 


'H<:  ii'S.:^i'.^V  '■-:'-ii^-;;ci"nJ.53CVJ.''w"'.';'*j<.'.<.-';^-'.j';' 


The  Calcium  Li 


TUH»£8  OK  BY  k  flAilWAT  TflACKyAS 


L  I  B  R.A  FLY 

OF   THL 
UN  1  VERS  ITY 
or    ILLl  NOIS 

331.89 
WGSc 


THE  CALCIUM  LIGHT 


TURNED  ON   BY  A 


RAILWAY  TRACKMAN 


CONTAINING  HISTORICAL  FACTS  OF  GREAT  VALUE 

TO  ALL  CLASSES  OF  RAILWAY 

EMPLOYES 


BY  JOHN  T.  WILSON 


1902 

TRACKMEN'S   PUBLISHING  COMPANY 

St.  Louis,  Mo. 

S>27 


CONTENTS 


CHAPTER  T.                                                    PAGE. 
Negotiations  Begun 1 

CHAPTER  II. 
Pheparing  for  Trouble ^ 13 

CHAPTER  III. 
Strike  Order  Issued 28 

CHAPTER  IV. 
The  Struggle  Begins 34 

CHAPTER  V. 
Importing  Aliens 45 

CHAPTER  VI. 
Men  in  Train  Service  Become  Uneasy 64 

CHAPTER  VII. 
Charles  Pope 65 

CHAPTER  VIII. 
General  Chairmen  Take  a  Hand 72 

CHAPTER  IX. 
The  Conciliators  (!)  at  Work 84 

CHAPTER  X. 
The  Mask  Torn  Off 91 

CHAPTER  XI. 
Real  Conciliators  Appear  Upon  the  Scene 98 

CHAPTER  XII. 
Letters,  Resolutions  and  Comments 107 

CHAPTER  XIII. 
Lackeys  and  Hypocrites  and  Wolves  in  Sheep's  Clothing 125 

CHAPTER  XIV. 
Detectives 134 

CHAPTER  XV. 
Influence  of  Labor  Unions 141 

CHAPTER  XVI. 
Free  Labor  and  Labor  Laws 147 

CHAPTER  XVII. 
Organizing  the  Trackmen 150 

CH.^PTER  XVIII. 
The  Need  of  an  Auxiliary —  155 

CHAPTER  XIX. 
Arbitration  Recommended 161 

CHAPTER   XX. 
Direct  Legislation 166 


JOHN  T.  WILSON. 


INTRODUCTION 


The  purpose  for  wliicli  this  book  is  published  is  to  strongly  im- 
press upon  the  minds  of  all  niaintenance-of-way  employes  that  if  they 
wish  to  have  their  burdens  made  lighter  and  their  lives  made  brighter 
— if  they  wish  to  have  their  man}-  grievances  properly  adjusted — the 
remedy  lies  within  themselves.  Whining  will  not  help  them. 
Prayers  and  petitions  will  be  alike  in  vain.  The  0]S'LY  source  of 
relief  is  OimANIZATIOX.  The  ONLY  remedy  is  UNITED,  PER- 
SISTENT ACTION.  Such  action  can  only  be  had  where  the  men  en- 
gaged in  it  are  possessed  of  three  sterling  traits  of  character,  to  wit: 
COURAGE,  FIDELITY  and  FORTITUDE— courage  to  undertake; 
fidelity  to  continue,  and  fortitude  to  endure  without  murmuring  the 
trials  and  deprivations  incident  to  all  great  movements  for  the  estab- 
lishment of  better  conditions,  higher  ideals  and  greater  liberties  for 
the  mass  of  mankind.  It  was  the  possession  of  these  noble  qualities 
which  enabled  the  maintenance-of-way  men  on  the  Canadian  Pacific 
Railwa}'  to  win  the  most  memorable  struggle  in  which  members  of 
their  craft  were  ever  engaged — a  contest  in  which  the  humble  and 
unlettered  trackmen  were  not  only  opposed  by  the  Canadian  Pacific 
Railway  Company  (perhaps  the  greatest  and  richest  transportation 
company  in  the  worldj,  but  also,  through  the  General  Managers'  Asso- 
ciation, by  ever}'  transportation  company  on  the  North  American  con- 
tinent. The  stor}-  of  that  famous  struggle  is  briefly  told  in  the  fol- 
lowing pages.  Plain  facts  are  submitted,  embracing  all  correspond- 
ence between  the  railway  officials  and  the  maintenance-of-way  men's 
representatives,  and  between  said  representatives  and  their  constitu- 
ents, as  well  as  other  letters  and  press  comments  which  are  of  interest 
in  this  connection  because  of  the  side  lights  which  they  shed  upon 
the  controversy.  The  author  has  not  attempted  to  embellish  the 
story  of  the  C.  P.  strike  with  any  literary  frills  or  furbelows,  and  does 
not  ask  that  this  book  be  treasured  as  a  literary  gem;  but  he  does 
hope  that  it  will  be  appreciated  by  that  much-abused  and  long- 
sutfering  class  of  railway  employes  known  as  maintenance-of-way 
men,  for  whose  benefit  it  is  intended,  and  who  may  learn  from  a  close 
perusal  of  its  pages  how  to  fight  their  own  battles  for  better  con- 
ditions and  HOW  TO  WIN. 

Yours  trulv, 


THE  CALCIUM  LIGHT 

TURNED  ON  BY  A  RAII.WAY  TRACKMAN. 


CHAPTER  I. 

NEGOTIATIONS  BEGUN. 


In  accordance  with  previous  arrangements  the  men  selected  to 
confer  with  the  management  of  the  Canadian  Pacific  Railway  Com- 
pany, for  the  purpose  of  trying  to  secure  an  agreement  pertaining  to 
wages  and  conditions  of  employment  for  maintenance-of-way  depart- 
ment employes,  met  at  the  Grand  Union  Hotel  in  Montreal  on  the  15th 
of  April.  After  formulating  their  grievances  and  preparing  wage 
schedules,  the  following  letter  was  sent  by  messenger  to  the  general 
manager: 

Montreal,  April  16,  1901. 
Mr.  D.  McNiooll,  Second  Vice-President  and  General  Manager  C.  P.  Ry., 

Dear  Sir:  We,  Joseph  Leunon,  E.  E.  Nason,  F.  P^rederick,  R.  C.  Montgom- 
ery, Theodore  Edmundson  and  A.  F.  Stout,  having  been  selected  by  the  mainte- 
nance-of-way department  employes  on  the  C.  P.  Ry.  and  authorized  to  confer 
with  you  for  the  purpose  of  entering  into  an  agreement  pertaining  to  the  terms 
and  conditions  of  employment,  respectfully  request  that  you  give  us  an  audience 
and  an  opportunity  to  present  our  grievances  at  your  earliest  convenience. 

Yours  respectfully,  (Signed)     JOS.  LENNON,  Chairman. 

Failing  to  receive  a.  reply  by  noon  the  next  day,  the  following 
letter  was  addressed  to  the  general  manager: 

Montreal,  April  17,  1901. 
Mr.  D.  McNicoll,  Second-Vice-President  and  General  Manager  C.  P.  Ry. 

Dear  Sir:  I  sent  a  letter  to  your  oftice  about  11  o'clocli  a.  m.  on  the  16th 
instant.  I  stated  that  a  committee  representing  maintenance-of-way  department 
employes  on  the  C.  P.  Ry.  desired  to  have  an  interview  with  the  management  of 
the  company.     If  you  made  a  reply  it  has  not  been  received. 

Will  you  please  state  whether  or  not  you  will  give  the  committee  a  hearing, 
and,  if  you  will  grant  us  a  hearing,  specify  what  time  the  committee  will  be 
received.     Please  send  your  answer  to  room  91,  Grand  Union  Hotel. 

Yours  respectfully,  (Signed)     JOS.  LENNON,  Chairman. 

The  following  reply  was  received  the  same  evening: 

Montreal,  April  17.  190V 
Mr.  J.  Lennon,  Grand  Union  Hotel,  city. 

Dear  Sir:  I  am  in  receipt  of  your  letter  of  April  16.  I  can  meet  you  and 
the  other  Canadian  Pacific  employes  mentioned  in  your  letter  at  my  office  tomor- 
row, the  18th  instant,  at  12  o'clock  noon.  Yours  truly. 

(Signed)     D.  McNICOLL. 


2  THK  CALCIUM  LIGHT     - 

At  noon  the  following  daj-  the  committeemen  called  upon  the 
general  manager,  stated  the  object  of  their  presence,  and  presented  the 

following  document: 

AGREEMENT 

BETWEEN    THE    CANADIAN    PACIFIC    RAILWAY    COMPANY    AND    ITS 

MAINTENANCE-OF-WAY   DEPARTMENT    EMPLOYES. 

1.  In  the  event  of  troiible  between  the  company  and  an  employe  in  the 
maiutenance-of-way  department,  the  said  employe  shall  have  a  speedy,  fair  and 
impartial  trial  before  his  first  superior  officer  not  a  party  to  the  controversy, 
and  shall  be  permitted  to  have  a  practical  and  experienced  employe  in  the  same 
department  on  the  same  division  to  defend  him,  and  he  shall  have  the  right  to 
appeal  to  the  manager  of  his  division  for  a  new  hearing  if  he  believes  his  sus- 
pension or  discharge  to  be  unjust. 

2.  Should  any  maintenauce-of-way  department  employe  be  suspended  or 
discharged  without  just  cause  he  shall  receive  his  regular  salary  while  off  duty 
waiting  for  an  investigation. 

3.  Ten  hours  shall  constitute  a  day's  work  for  all  maintenance-of-way  de- 
partment employes  (excepting  switch-tenders,  watchmen  and  pump  men).  Those 
■^\ho  are  retpiired  to  work  over  ten  hours  a  day,  or  on  Sunday,  shall  receive 
pay  for  time  and  one-half. 

4.  Promotion  of  men  in  the  maintenance-of-way  department  on  the  various 
divisions  shall  be  governed  by  seniority,  merit  and  other  qualifications  being 
equal. 

5.  The  company  shall  transport  free  of  charge,  fresh  meats  twice  a  week 
to  all  points  where  the  same  cannot  be  purchased,  and  will  run  a  supply  car 
each  wajr  once  a  mouth  between  Moosejaw  and  Calgary  on  main  line,  and  from 
Dunmore  Junction  to  Kootenay  Landing,  and  from  Mattawamkeag  to  Megantic; 
the  rate  to  be  charged  for  delivery  of  supplies  to  maintenauce-of-way  depart- 
ment employes  will  be  one-half  of  the  regular  rate. 

6.  Section  housekeepers  shall  be  furnished  transportation  twice  a  month 
to  the  nearest  points  where  necessary  supplies  can  be  purchased. 

7.  All  maintenauce-of-way  department  employes  shall  be  granted  passes 
once  a  month  to  and  from  any  point  they  desire  to  travel  on  the  roadmaster's 
division  where  they  are  employed,  provided  that  no  more  than  one-half  of  the 
force  will  be  absent  from  duty  at  any  one  time. 

8.  Maintenance-of-way  department  emj)loyes  who  have  been  in  the  service 
of  the  company  continuously  for  a  period  of  two  years  will  be  entitled  to  leave 
of  absence,  and  transportation  ouce  a  year  to  any  point  on  the  system  they  may 
desire  to  visit. 

9.  Any  trackman  who  has  a  certificate  showing  he  was  employed  one 
season  by  the  company  shall  be  entitled  to  free  transportation  to  work  the  fol- 
lowing season,  without  being  required  to  pay  an  employment  agency  fee. 

10.  When  it  is  necessary  to  convene  a  general  grievance  committee,  or  a 
local  grievance  committee  for  the  purpose  of  settling  differences,  the  company 
shall  grant  leave  of  absence  and  furnish  passes  to  the  committeemen  and  sucli 
witnesses  as  they  may  desire  to  bring  before  the  management  for  the  purpose 
of  revealing  the  facts  in  the  case. 

11.  In  cases  where  section  foremen  or  men  are  taken  away  from  head- 
quarters to  work  on  snow  or  tie  trains,  or  to  do  any  work  that  will  take  them 
away  from  their  regular  ))oar(ling  places,  the  company  shall  pay  all  expenses 
incurred. 


Turned  On  by  a  Railway  Trackman.  3 

12.  The  company  shall  keep  all  section  houses  in  good  repair,  and  not 
charge  any  more  for  rent  than  is  being  charged  at  the  present  time. 

13.  In  case  of  an  accident  resulting  from  bad  track,  if  upon  investigation 
it  is  found  tliat  the  foreman  discharged  his  duties  faithfully  and  that  the  acci- 
dent occurred  on  account  of  his  not  being  allowed  enough  men  and  sufficient 
materia]  with  which  to  make  the  track  safe,  he  will  be  held  blameless. 

14.  When  section  foremen,  or  men.  are  required  to  attend  to  lamps  before 
or  after  regular  working  hours  they  sliall  receive  the  same  rate  of  pay  as  is 
paid  to  operators  and  agents  for  the  same  class  of  work.  Section  foremen  will 
not  be  held  responsible  for  lamps  not  being  lit.  or  going  out.  where  they  are 
attended  to  by  persons  not  subject  to  their  orders. 

15.  Track  walkers  on  the  entire  system  shall  receive  a  day's  pay  at  the 
usual  rate  for  walking  track  on  Sunday. 

16.  Watchmen  on  duty  twelve  hours  or  more  out  of  each  twenty-four  shall 
be  entitled  to  leave  of  absence  two  weeks  each  year  without  loss  of  pay. 

17.  At  all  places  where  water  is  to  be  transported  for  use  by  section  gangs, 
suitable  underground  tanks  shall  be  provided  by  the  company,  and  good  water 
fui'nished  twice  a  week  with  proper  quantities  of  ice. 

SCHEDULE    OF    RATES     FOR    MAINTENANCE  OF-WAY    DEPARTMENT 
EMPLOYES  ON  THE  ATLANTIC  DIVISION. 

(a)  Yard  foremen  at  terminal  and  divisional  points  shall  be  paid  $2.25  per 

day. 

(b)  Extra  gang  foremen  shall  be  paid  $3.00  per  day. 

(c)  Section  foremen  shall  be  paid  $2.00  per  day. 

(d)  Section  men  shall  be  paid  $1.50  per  day. 

(e)  All  foremen  of  snow  ploughs  and  flangers  on  the  entire  system  shall 

be  paid  $3.00  per  day  and  expenses. 

(f)  Section  men  working  on  snow  ploughs  and  flangers  shall  be  paid  $2.00 

per  day  and  expenses. 

SCHEDULE    OF    RATES    FOR    MAINTENANCE-OF-WAY    DEPARTMENT 
EMRLOYES  ON  THE  O.  &  Q.  DIVISION. 

(a)  Yard  foremen  at  terminal  and  divisional  points  shall  be  paid  $2.25  per 

day. 

(b)  Extra  gang  foremen  shall  be  paid  $3.00  per  day, 

(c)  Section  foremen  shall  be  paid  $2.00  per  day. 

(d)  Section  men  shall  be  paid  $1.50  per  day. 

ISCHEDULE    OF    RATES    FOR    MAINTENANCE-OF-WAY    DEPARTMENT 
EMPLOYES   ON  THE   EASTERN  DIVISION. 

(a)  Yard  foremen  at  terminal  and  divisional  points  shall  be  paid  $2.50  per 

day. 

(b)  Extra  gang  foremen  shall  be  paid  $3.00  per  day. 

(c)  Assistant  yard  foremen  in  Montreal  yards  shall  be  paid  $2.00  per  nay. 

(d)  Section  foremen  from  Montreal  to  Cartier  and  Sault  Ste.  Marie  shall 

be  paid  $2.00  per  day. 

(e)  Section  foremen  from  Cartiei*  to  Port  Arthur  shall  be  paid  $2.25  per 

day. 


4  THE  CALCIUM  LIGHT 

(f)  Section  men  from  Montreal  to  Cartier  and  Sault  Ste.  Marie  sliall  be 

paid  $1.50  per  day. 

(g)  Section  men  from  Cartier  to  Port  Arthur  sliall  be  paid  $1.65  per  day. 

SCHEDULE    OF    RATES    FOR    MAINTENAXCE-OF-WAY    DEPARTMENT 
EMPLOYES  ON  THE  WESTERN  DIVISION. 

(a)  Yard  foremen  at  terminal  or  divisional  points  shall  be  paid  $70.00  per 

month. 

(b)  Extra  gang  foremen  shall  be  paid  $80.00  per  mouth. 

(c)  Section  foremen  shall  be  paid  $65.00  per  month. 

(d)  Section  men  shall  be  paid  $1.65  per  day. 

(e)  Pump  men  at  terminal  and  divisional  points  shall  be  paid  $60.00  per 

month. 

(f)  Pump  men  looking  after  more  than  one  pump  shall  be  paid  $55.00  per 

month. 

(g)  Pump  men  looking  after  one  pump  shall  be  paid  $50.00  per  month. 

(h)     No  pump  man  shall  be  required  to  look  after  more  than  three  pumps, 
(i)     Boarding  housekeepers  may  charge  a  maximum  of  $4.00  per  week  for 
board. 

SCHEDULE    OF    RATES    FOR    MAINTENANCE-OF-WAY    DEPARTMENT 
EMPLOYES  ON  PACIFIC  DIVISION. 

(a)  Yard  foremen  in  charge  of  yards  having  twenty-five  or  more  switches, 

or  at  terminal  points,  shall  be  paid  $75.00  per  month. 

(b)  Extra  gang  foremen  shall  be  paid  $3.50  per  day. 

(c)  Section  foremen  shall  be  paid  $65.00  per  month. 

(d)  Section  men  shall  be  paid  $1.75  per  day. 

(e)  Extra  gang  men  shall  be  paid  $1.75  per  day, 

(f)  Bridge  foremen  shall  be  paid  $4.00  per  day. 

(g)  Bridge  men  shall  be  paid  $2.75  and  $3.00  per  day. 
(h)  Bridge  watchmen  shall  be  paid  $60.00  per  month, 
(i)  Track  watchmen  shall  be  paid  $55.00  per  month. 

(j)  Switch  tenders  in  charge  of  safety  ewitches  Nos.  1,  2  and  3  on  the 
"Kicking  Horse"  grade  shall  be  paid  $50.00  per  month  each  for 
services  from  7  to  19  o'clock,  and  20  cents  for  the  first  call,  and 
10  cents  for  each  call  thereafter  during  the  next  twelve  hours. 

1.  The  company  shall  make  arrangements  to  have  its  cheques  cashed  with- 
out inconvenience  or  expense  to  maintenance-of-way  depai'tment  employes. 

2.  No  maintenance-of-way  department  employe  shall  be  discriminated 
against,  suspended  or  discharged  on  account  of  serving  on  a  grievance  com- 
mittee. 

3.  There  shall  be  no  discrimination  against  members  of  the  Brotherhood 
of  Railway  Trackmen  now  employed  or  in  employing  new  men  on  account  of 
their  holding  membership  in  said  organization. 

4.  The  Canadian  Pacific  Railway  Company  on  its  part,  and  the  mainte- 
nance-of-way department  employes  on  their  part,  do  hereby  agree  that  they 
will  perform  their  several  duties  and  stipulations  provided  for  in  this  agree- 
ment, until  sixty  days'  notice  have  been  given  by  either  party  to  the  other 
requesting  a  change  of  the  same. 


Turned  On  by  a  Railway  Trackman.  5 

It  is  further  agreed  that  these  rules  shall  uut  take  away  any  privileges  that 
are  uow  iu  effect  with  maiuteuauce-of-way  departmeut  employes. 

This  agreement  shall  take  efteet  on  the day  of 

1901. 

(Signed   General  Manager. 

For  the  Railway  Company. 


Committee. 


For  the  maintenance-of-way  department  employes 

of  the Ry.  Co. 

The  manager  contended  that  the  committee  should  have  pre- 
sented their  grievances  to  minor  officials  before  coming  to  him.  The 
chairman  stated  that  the  committeemen  were  clothed  with  written 
authority  to  represent  at  least  90  per  cent  of  the  maintenance-of-way 
department  employes  on  the  entire  system  and  that  minor  officials 
could  not,  under  the  established  rules  of  the  company,  give  the  relief 
desired.  After  discussing  matters  for  some  time  the  committeemen 
returned  to  the  Grand  Union  Hotel,  and  after  deliberating  upon  the 
position  taken  by  the  general  manager,  prepared  and  sent  the  follow- 
ing letter: 

Montreal,  April  18,  1901. 
Mr.  D.  McNicoll,  Second  Vice-President  and  General  Manager  C.  P.  Ry. 

Dear  Sir:  After  deliberating  upon  the  position  taken  by  you  at  our  confer- 
ence yesterday,  our  committeemen  have  decided  tliat  the  trackmen's  grievances 
should  receive  due  consideration  from  the  management  of  the  C.  P.  Ry.  during 
the  next  few  days. 

You  stated  tliat  we  began  at  the  wrong  end  and  that  our  grievances  should 
have  been  presented  to  the  superintendents  before  coming  to  you.  We  have 
attempted  several  times  to  have  our  grievances  adjusted  by  superintendents; 
in  some  instances  they  refused  to  give  our  committeemen  a  hearing,  and  those 
wlio  listened  to  our  complaints  informed  us  tliat  they  had  no  authority  to 
remedy  the  things  complained  of. 

Your  contention  that  on  account  of  our  committee  not  first  interviewing  <lie 
superintendents,  malies  it  necessary  for  you  to  take  the  matter  up  witli  them, 
and  that  it  will  be  at  least  two  weeks  before  you  can  discuss  our  proposed 
agreement,  does  not  seem  to  be  necessary  to  men  of  our  limited  experience. 

Were  we  to  send  committees  to  all  of  the  division  superintendents,  the  gen- 
eral superintendents  and  the  managers  before  taking  up  our  grievances  with 


6  THE  CAI^CIUM  LIGHT 

you,  the  cost  of  same  would  amouut  to  several  huudred  dollars,  aud  we  eauuot 
understand  why  you  should  expect  us  to  waste  time  aud  expend  money  by 
interviewing  officials  who  have  no  authority  to  adjust  our  grievances.  Your 
general  superintendents  and  some  of  your  roadmasters  are  in  the  city.  If  you 
desire  to  confer  with  them  concerning  local  conditions,  cost  of  labor,  etc.. 
through  the  country  traversed  by  the  C.  P.  Ry.,  it  seems  to  us  that  the  informa- 
tion desired  might  be  obtained  in  a  short  time;  were  they  not  in  thercity,  with 
your  complete  telegraph  system  and  full  staff  of  agents  and  operators  at  your 
command,  we  think  you  could  obtain  all  information  needed  in  a  few  hours. 

You  stated  that  committees  representing  men  engaged  in  operating  trains 
remained  in  the  city  thirty  days  in  order  to  have  their  grievances  adjusted,  aud 
seemed  to  think  that  we  should  not  object  to  waiting  two  weeks  to  begin  dis- 
cussion of  our  grievances. 

We  cannot  think  of  any  excuse  or  justiticatiou  for  your  taking  that  position. 
If  the  C.  P.  Ry.  Company  would  pay  its  track  department  employes  three- 
quarters  as  much  wages,  in  proportion  to  their  responsibilities  and  the  services 
rendered,  as  it  pays  to  other  classes  of  its  employes,  we  do  not  suppose  the 
trackmen  would  object  to  keeping  a  cornmittee  of  ten  or  twelve  men  in  Mon- 
treal continuously  and  subject  to  your  orders.  Y^ou  should  remember  that  on 
account  of  the  "niggardly"  wages  paid  to  trackmen  it  is  a  hardship  upon  them 
to  have  to  i^ay  the  expenses  incurred  in  sending  our  committee  to  Montreal. 

We  desire  to  be  fair  and  reasonable  in  our  demands  upon  the  company. 
At  the  same  time,  however,  we  must  be  faithful  to  the  men  we  represent. 

The  proposed  agreement  and  wage  schedules  drawn  up  by  our  committee 
(copy  of  which  was  handed  to  you  yesterday)  does  not  cover  all  of  the  griev- 
ances filed  by  C.  P.  Ry.  trackmen.  We  have  been  instructed  to  ask  for  a  great 
many  concessions  not  included  in  the  document. 

In  drawing  up  the  schedule  and  presenting  a  copy  of  it  to  you,  we  are  not 
making  demands,  but  we  desire  to  discuss  the  things  contained  therein,  and  do 
not  believe  we  should  be  compelled  to  wait  two  weeks  to  begin  the  discussion. 
If  you  will  convince  us  that  any  part  of  the  schedule  proposed  should  be  changed 
or  eliminated,  the  change  or  changes  can  be  made.  If  you  will  arrange  to  meet 
the  committee  and  take  the  matter  up  at  once,  the  parts  that  j-ou  are  authorized 
and  willing  to  pass  upon  can  be  settled,  and  the  parts  that  we  cannot  agree 
upon  will  be  taken  to  higher  authority. 

The  committeemen  are  of  the  opinion  that  you  should  favor  them  with  a 
definite  answer  to  this  communication  not  later  than  10  o'clock  a.  m.  on  Monday, 
the  22nd  of  April. 

If  you  fail  to  give  us  an  answer  by  that  time  our  conclusion  will  be  that 
you  do  not  desire  to  confer  with  the  trackmen's  committee  and  adjust  their 
grievances  in  an  amicable  way. 

We  would  much  rather  assist  in  cultivating  good  feeling  and  harmony  be- 
tween all  classes  of  C.  P.  Ry.  employes  than  to  be  compelled  to  report  to  otir 
constituents  that  we  find  it  impossible  to  get  a  proper  hearing  before  the 
C.  P.  Ry.  officials  in  what  we  believe  to  be  a  rea.sonable  length  of  time. 

Yours  respectfully.  (Signed)     J.  LEXXON,  Chairmanr 


Turned  On  by  a  Railway  Trackman.  7 

The  general  maiiagei'  replied  as  follows: 

Montreal.  April  20.  1901. 
Mr.  J.  LeuuoD,  Koom  91,  Grand  Union  Hotel,  city. 

Dear  Sir:  I  am  in  receipt  of  your  letter  of  April  19,  and  can  see  you  at 
my  office  at  10  o'clock  on  Monday  morning,  the  22d  instant. 

Yours  truly,  (Signed)     D.  McNICOLL. 

Another  conference  took  place  between  the  general  manager  and 

the  committee  at  10  o'clock  a.  m.,  April  22.     Considerable  time  was 

consumed  in  discussing  matters  in  a  general  war,  and  the  chairman  of 

the  committee  was  handed  the  following  letter: 

Montreal.   April.  20.   1901. 
Mr.  J.  Lennon,  Room  91.  Grand  Union  Hotel,  city. 

Dear  Sir:  I  am  in  receipt  of  your  letter  of  19tli  inst..  which  I  must  confess, 
is  a  great  surprise  to  me  in  view  of  our  conA-ersation  Thursday  last,  and  the 
explanation  I  then  gave. 

At  our  meeting  you  admitted  that  you  had  not  approached  any  of  our 
officials  with  regard  to  your  alleged  grievances  or  requirements  for  a  period  of 
several  years,  yet  without  any  preliminary  notice  you  now  present  to  me  a 
series  of  demands,  some  of  which  appear  to  me  most  unreasonable,  among  them 
one  for  an  increase  of  wages  involving  over  half  a  million  doUax's  per  annum, 
and  practically  request  instant  decision. 

I  advised  you  that  your  memorandum  covers  a  territory  of  nearly  ten 
thousand  miles,  and  many  serious  questions  that  cannot  be  answered  off-hand; 
that  I  considered  you  had  begun  at  the  wrong  end;  that  it  would  have  been 
much  better  to  have  submitted  your  alleged  grievances  to  your  immediate 
superiors  and  given  them  an  opportunity  to  fully  consider  tliem  before  discus- 
sion of  action,  and  that  it  would  be  necessary  for  me  now  to  communicate  with 
your  immediate  superiors  on  the  subject  in  order  that  I  may  post  myself  as  to 
the  iiresent  conditions  and  obtain  their  views. 

I  further  pointed  out  to  you  that  you  were  at  present  being  paid  a  higher 
rate  of  wages  than  was  paid  on  any  other  railway  in  Canada  or  on  the  railways 
in  the  United  States  immediately  to  the  south  of  us. 

I  have  promised  to  take  the  matter  into  consideration,  and  when  we  are  in 
a  position  to  discuss  it  you  will  be  advised.  Meantime  I  am  willing  to  supply 
you  with  the  necessary  passes  to  enable  you  to  return  home,  thus  avoiding,  as 
far  as  possible,  any  unnecessary  expense  to  you. 

I  did  not  definitely  specify  two  weeks.  I  said  several  weeks,  as  the  exorbi- 
tant and  far-reaching  nature  of  some  of  your  demands  requires  considerable 
investigation,  most  serious  consideration  and  many  meetings  between  our  offi- 
cers to  arrive  at  their  full  meaning  and  value. 

I  am  sorry  to  hear  that  the  memorandum  you  have  submitted  does  not  cover 
all  your  grievances,  as  I  specially  asked  you  at  our  meeting  if  it  included  all 
you  had  to  ask.  and  was  answered  in  the  affirmative,  and  I  now  would  suggest 
that  such  other  matters  as  you  wish  to  bring  to  my  attention  be  presentesh  in 
order  to  avoid  still  further  delay. 

Your  expressed  intention  to  be  fair  and  reasonable  in  the  discussion  of  your 
relations  with  the  com]>any  is  quite  in  accord  witli  the  company's  desire  and 
intention  that  in  its  dealings  no  one  must  be  permitted  to  suffer  injustice. 

Yours  truly.  .    (Signed)     D.  McNICOLL. 


8  THE  CAI.CIUM  LIGHT 

After  consideiiug  wliat  was  said  at  the  couference  and  the  con- 
reuts  of  the  above  letter,  the  following-  communication  was  sent  to  Mr 
^ilcNicoll: 

Montreal,  April  22.  1901. 
Mr.  D.  McNicoll.  Second  Vice-President  and  General  Manager.  C.  P.  Ry. 

Dear  Sir:  After  duly  considering  the  position  taken  by  yourself  at  our  con- 
ference this  a.  m.  and  the  contents  of  your  letter,  all  of  our  committeemen  are 
of  the  opinion  that  you  intend  to  deal  fairly  with  the  men  we  represent,  there- 
fore, we  have  decided  to  request  you  to  give  us  assurance  that  you  will  act  in 
good  faith  towards  the  maintenance-of-way  department  employes  on  the 
C.  P.  Ry. 

We  will  request. 

1.  A  guarantee  that  the  men  we  represent  will  not  be  discharged  or  dis- 
criminated against  by  your  subordinate  officials  on  account  of  their  iioldiug 
membership  in  the  Brotherhood  of  Railway  Traclimen. 

2.  That  you  will  grant  leave  of  absence  and  furnish  passes  to  the  com- 
mitteemen to  Montreal  and  return,  for  the  purpose  of  considering  all  matters 
set  forth  in  the  memorandum  we  have  submitted,  within  a  specified  time,  giving 
yourself  a  reasonable  length  of  time  to  procure  all  information  or  data  required 
touching  upon  the  questions  at  issue. 

I  do  not  think  it  would  lie  advisable  for  us  to  return  to  our  homes  without 
giving  the  men  to  understand  that  their  grievances  will  be  taken  up  with  the 
management  of  the  C.  P.  Ry.  Company  within  a  specified  time.  Were  we  to 
report  to  our  constituents  that  you  have  agreed  to  confer  with  us  and  consider 
their  grievances  at  some  future  time  (the  time  not  specified)  it  will  cause  a 
good  deal  of  dissatisfaction,  and  might  result  in  their  appointing  another  com- 
mittee to  represent  them. 

We  have  exclusive  authority  to  represent  at  least  90  per  cent  of  the  mainte- 
nance-of-way department  employes  on  your  road.  The  two  last  clauses  on  the 
certificates  of  authority  which  have  been  signed  by  the  men.  read  as  follows: 

"It  is  expressly  understood  that  in  case  the  majority  of  maintenance-of-way 
employes  of  the  C.  P.  Ry.  authorize  said  committee  to  enter  into  an  agreement 
with  the  C.  P.  Ry.  officials  for  them  (to  sell  their  labor  for  them),  and  if  the 
officials  of  said  company  decline  to  receive  our  committee  and  to  enter  into  an 
agreement  with  it  similar  to  the  agreements  entered  into  with  other  classes  of 
their  employes,  the  committee,  with  the  sanction  of  the  Grand  President  of  the 
B.  R.  T.  of  A.,  will  have  authority  to  order  a  suspension  of  work,  and  their 
orders  will  be  obeyed. 

"The  undersigned  hereby  l)lud  themselves  to  carry  out  in  good  faith  their 
part  of  any  agreement  entered  into  by  the  above  named  committee  with  the 
officials  of  the  Canadian  Pacific  Railway." 

AVere  we  to  return  to  our  homes  withotit  obtaining  the  guarantees  asked 
for  alxive.  I  am  satisfied  that  we  would  be  severely  criticised,  and  more  than 
likely  a  great  many  of  the  Ijest  men  now  employed  in  the  maintenance-of-way 
department  would  seek  other  employment,  as  other  employers  of  labor  along  the 
lines  of  the  C.  P.  Ry.  are  paying  from  $20  to  $35  per  month  for  common  labor, 
including  board  and  lodging. 

Please  do  not  imagine  that  we  doubt  your  sincerity,  but  understand  that  as 
representatives  of  otlier  men,  we  must  protect  ourselves  against  unnecessary 


Turned  On  by  a  Raii^way  Trackman.  9 

criticism.  We  realize  that  dealing  witli  uiaintenance-of-way  department  em- 
ployes as  an  organized  body  is  a  ilew  tiling  with  managers  of  railways,  but 
the  better  informed  class  of  men  in  our  department  are  determined  to  protect 
themselves  against  unfair  treatment  (often  by  minor  officials)  through  the 
adoption  of  wage  schedules,  or  to  seeli  other  employment — one  of  the  two. 

When  I  handed  in  the  memorandum  of  the  men's  grievances  on  the  18th 
inst.,  you  asked  me  if  it  contained  all  the  committee  was  going  to  ask  for.  I 
said,  "Yes,  it  contained  all  we  were  going  to  ask  for  at  the  present  time." 
There  is  considerable  complaint  among  the  men  about  the  company  not  fur- 
nishing enough  men  and  material  to  keep  the  track  in  safe  running  order.  Our 
committee  decided  that  the  company  being  responsible  for  accidents,  it  should 
determine  how  many  men  will  be  employed  as  well  as  the  kind  and  quantity 
of  material  it  will  furnish.  Other  grievances  not  set  forth  in  our  memorandum 
are  of  a  minor  nature,  and  in  our  judgment,  can  be  adjusted  by  the  minor 
officials.  We  do  not  desire  to  annoy  you  with  petty  grievances  that  can  be 
adjusted  by  the  sui^erintendents  and  roadmastei's. 

I  assure  you  we  have  no  desire  to  embarrass  any  of  the  officials  of  the 
C.  P.  Ry.  Company,  and  if  they  deal  with  us  in  the  same  manner  as  other 
classes  of  your  employes  are  dealt  with,  we  will  do  all  in  our  power  to  promote 
the  interest  of  the  company  and  to  render  satisfactory  service. 

Yours  very  truly,  (Signed)     J.  LENNON,  Chairman. 

In  answer  to  the  above  communication  the  following  letter  was 
received  from  Mr.  Hodge,  secretary  to  the  general  manager: 

Montreal,  April  23,  1901. 
Mr.  J.  Leunon,  Room  91.  Gi'and  Union  Hotel,  city. 

Dear  Sir:  Your  communication  of  yesterday's  date,  addressed  to  the  gen- 
eral manager,  was  delivered  to  him  just  as  he  was  leaving  the  city,  from  which 
he  will  be  absent  several  days. 

I  am  this  morning  in  receipt  of  a  telegram  from  Mr.  McNicoll  instructing 
me  to  assure  you  that  neither  members  of  your  committee,  the  men  you  repre- 
sent nor  any  other  employe  of  the  company  will  be  discriminated  against  as 
Jong  as  they  give  good  service;  that  instructions  will  at  once  be  given  to  super- 
intendents to  remedy  anything  mentioned  in  your  memorandum  about  which 
there  can  be  little  difference  of  opinion;  the  necessary  information  to  enable 
the  management  to  intelligently  consider  other  matters  will  be  secured  at  once,, 
and  we  may  expect  to  be  in  a  position  to  meet  you  before  the  end  of  May.  The 
members  of  the  committee  will  be  given  transportation  home,  and  when  coming 
to  headquarters  again  to  discuss  the  subject,  a  committee  of  reasonable  num- 
l)ers  Avill  be  given  the  necessary  leave  of  absence  and  transportation  to  and 
from  Montreal. 

If  you  will  let  me  have  a  memorandum  of  the  transportation  that  will  now 
be  required  by  the  members  of  your  committee  I  shall  let  you  have  it. 

Yours  truly,  (Signed)     GEORGE  HODGE.'^ 

The  above  letter  being  unsatisfactory  to  the  members  of  the  com- 
mittee, as  they  had  begun  negotiations  with  Mr.  McNicoll.  the  chair- 
man in  company  with  another  member  of  the  committee  called  on  Mr. 
Hodge,  who  handed  them  the  following  letter  from  Mr.  McNicoll: 


10  THE  CALCIUM  LIGHT 

Montreal,  April  22,  1901. 
Memorandum  for  George  Hodge. 

1  have  tonight  wired  you  as  follows:  "Write  Mr.  Lennon  in  the  morning 
1  just  received  his  communication  of  the  22nd,  on  my  departure  from  the  city 
from  which  I  will  be  absent  several  days.  Assure  him  that  neither  members 
of  the  committee,  the  men  they  represent  nor  any  other  employe  of  the  com- 
pany will  be  discriminated  against  so  long  as  they  give  good  service;  that 
instructions  will  at  once  be  given  to  superintendents  to  remedy  anything  'tnen- 
tioned  in  their  memorandum  about  which  there  can  be  little  difference  of 
opinion;  the  necessary  information  to  enable  the  management  to  intelligently 
consider  other  matters  will  be  secured  at  once,  and  we  expect  to  be  in  a  posi- 
tion to  meet  them  before  the  end  of  May.  The  committee  will  be  given  trans- 
portation home,  and  when  coming  to  headquarters  again  to  discuss  the  subject, 
a  committee  of  reasonable  numbers  will  be  given  transportation  to  and  from 
Montreal  and  leave  of  absence."  (Signed)     McNICOLL. 

The  time  in  which  the  committee  would  be  called  back  to  Montreal 
not  being  specified,  caused  the  committeemen  to  draft  and  send  the 
following  letter  to  the  office  of  the  general  manager: 

Montreal,  April  23,  1901. 
D.  McNicoll,  Esq.,  Second  Vice-President  and  General  Manager,  C    P.  Ry. 

Dear  Sir:  I  have  received  a  letter  from  Mr.  Hodge  in  answer  to  our  com- 
munication sent  you  yesterday. 

I  especially  requested  you  to  specify  the  time  in  which  you  would  confer 
with  our  committee  and  discuss  the  matters  set  forth  in  our  memorandum 
handed  you  on  the  18tb  inst,  and  stated  my  reasons  for  making  the  request. 

Mr.  Hodge  states  that  he  has  instructions  from  you  to  inform  us  that  you 
expect  to  be  in  a  position  to  meet  us  before  the  end  of  May. 

There  is  not  anything  definite  in  your  answer  so  far  as  the  time  you  will 
meet  the  committee  is  concerned,  therefore  it  is  unsatisfactory.  I  am  one 
member  of  a  committee  of  six  and  do  not  have  a  vote  while  in  executive  session. 
If  you  will  state  that  arrangements  will  be  made  to  meet  our  committee  not 
later  than  the  end  of  May,  and  will  guarantee  the  other  pledges  contained  in 

Mr.  Hodge's  letter,  I  think  the  members  of  our  committee  will  be  satisfied  to 
return  to  their  homes;  otherwise,  the  responsibility  for  what  may  take  place 
will  rest  with  you. 

Our  committee  will  expect  a  definite  answer  not  later  than  12  o'clock  tomor- 
row, April  24.     Failing  to  hear  from  you  will  be  accepted  for  a  negative  answer. 

Yours  truly,  (Signed)     J.  LENNON,  Chairman. 

In  a  few  hours  the  following  letter  was  received  by  the  chairman 
of  the  committee: 

Montreal,  April  23,  1901. 
Mr.  J.  Lennon,  Room  91,  Grand  Union  Hotel,  city. 

Dear  Sir:  I  am  just  In  receipt  of  the  following  telegram  from  the  general 
manager  in  reply  to  my  message  of  this  afternoon  giving  him  the  substance  of 
your  letter  of  to-day's  date: 

My  telegr.im  of  last  night  was  intended  to  convey  to  the  men  an  assurance  that  I 
would  meet  them  before  the  end  of  May,  and  you  may  convey  to  them  a  copy  of  this 
telegram.     (Signed)   D.   McNicoll. 

Yours  truly,  (Signed)     GEORGE  HODGE. 


Turned  On  by  a  Railway  Trackman.  11 

In  answer  to  the  above  the  chairman  of  the  coniniittee  sent  the 
following-  letter  to  Mr.  ITodge: 

Montreal,  April  24,  1901. 
George  Hodge,  Esq.,  Secretary  to  General  Manager  C.  P.  Ky.,  city. 

Dear  Sir:  I  have  received  your  favor  of  the  23rfl  inst.,  containing  a  copy 
of  Mr.  McNicoll's  telegram  assuring  our  committee  that  he  will  meet  us  before 
the  end  of  May. 

Mr.  McNicoll  stated  during  our  conference  on  the  18th  inst.,  that  the  money 
paid  for  ticlvets  to  Montreal  by  the  committeemen  would  be  refunded. 

A.  F.  Stout  purchased  a  ticliet  from  Ardendale $  9  50 

R.  C.  Montgomery      "  "  "        Webbwood 13  95 

E.  E.  Nason  "  "  "        McAdam  .Junction 13  95 

F.  Frederick  "  "  "        Woman    River 13  70 

Theodore  Edmuudson"  "  "        Vermillion    Bay 36  95 

Total $88  05 

Can  you  arrange  to  have  their  money  refunded? 

I  will  request  passes  for  E.  E.  Nason  from  Montreal  to  McAdam  .Jet.,  F. 
Frederick  from  Montreal  to  Woman  River  and  Theodore  Edmundson  from 
Montreal  to  Vermillion  Bay. 

Mr.  Stout  purchased  a  return  ticket  and  can  return  to  Ardendale  Station  on 
the  return  part  of  it.  Mr.  Montgomery  has  received  a  pass  from  Montreal  to 
Webbwood.        Yours  truly,  (Signed)     J.   LENNON,  Chairman. 

The  foregoing  demonstrates  that  trackmen  will  be  recognized 
and  their  committees  dealt  with  by  railway  olticials  in  the  same  man- 
ner they  deal  with  committees  representing  other  classes  of  their 
employes,  provided  the  majority  of  the  maintenance-of-way  men  em- 
ployed by  a  company  unite  and  give  their  committee  written  authority 
to  make  an  agreement  for  them  pertaining  to  wages  and  conditions  of 
employment. 

The  first  question  asked  by  the  general  manager  of  the  C.  P.  Ry. 
was;  ^'How  am  I  to  know  you  represent  the  maintenance-of-way  de- 
partment employes  on  our  road?"  The  answer  was:  "Here  is  our 
authority  above  the  men's  signatures." 

Q.  "What  per  cent  of  the  men  have  signed  that  certificate  au- 
thorizing you  to  represent  them?"  A.  "Not  less  than  00  per  cent. 
Count  them  and  see  for  yourself." 

^A'hen  conferences  are  resumed  between  the  general  manager  and 
the  committee  he  will,  no  doubt,  take  the  position  that  the  C.  P.  Ky. 
is  paying  its  maintenance-of-way  employes  more  than  any  other  road 
in  the  country,  which  is  true.  Awhile  the  C.  P.  R.y.  company  is  payi»g 
its  track  department  employes  more  than  other  roads,  and  has  done 
more  to  develop  the  natural  resources  of  Canada  and  the  manhood 
of  its  citizens  than  any  other  corporation  in  the  Dominion,  it  did  not 
do  it  by  paying  less  wages  to  its  employes  than  other  employers  of 


12  I'HE  CALCIUM  LIGHT 

labor  and  the  wages  paid  to  its  track  department  employes  at  the  pres- 
ent lime  does  not  enable  them  to  maintain  themselves  and  families  in 
a  manner  becoming  to  citizens  of  a  great  empire.  * 

Were  it  conceded  that  one  employer  of  labor  should  not  increase 
the  wages  of  his  workmen  because  he  is  paying  more  wages  than  an- 
other, the  Central  Railway  of  Georgia  would  be  sustained  in  taking 
the  position  that  it  should  not  pay  its  trackmen  more  than  65  cents  a 
day,  because  the  C.  F.  &  Y.  X.  Ry.  only  pays  its  trackmen  47^  cents  a 
day. 

Low  wages  is  the  curse  of  any  nation.  AVage  schedules  that  de- 
grade citizens,  degrade  nations.  Russia,  Turkey,  Italy,  Spain,  Japan 
(and  China  are  all  countries  that  maintain  low  wages  for  their  work- 
men. How  do  they  compare  with  countries  like  Great  Britain  and  the 
United  States?  During  the  last  half  century  the  United  States  has 
paid  more  wages  to  the  classes  of  its  workmen  that  possessed  enough 
courage  and  brains  to  band  themselves  together  for  mutual  advance- 
ment than  any  country  in  the  world,  during  which  time  the  country  has 
experienced  greater  development  and  created  more  wealth  than  any 
other  country  of  its  size,  and  has  produced  more  millionaires  than  all 
other  countries  combined.  As  workmen's  producing  capacities  are 
largely  determined  by  their  opjjortunities  to  consume  wealth,  the  C.  P. 
Ry.  company  can  increase  its  business  by  assisting  its  toilers  in  their 
efforts  to  secure  a  higher  rate  of  wages  for  all  wealth  producers 
through  the  country  traversed  by  its  lines. 

The  trackmen  on  the  C.  P.  Ry.,  by  banding  themselves  together 
and  making  earnest,  prudent  efforts  to  bring  about  better  conditions 
for  themselves,  have  shown  conclusively  that  they  realize  their  rights 
as  citizens  and  the  value  of  their  services  to  the  company  which  gives 
them  employment.  They  are  no  longer  to  be  classed  with  the  be- 
nighted laborers  who  endure  industrial  slavery,  its  hardships  and  pri- 
vations, because  they  have  not  the  manhood  to  protest  against  such 
treatment. 

When  the  chairman  of  the  committee  told  the  general  manager 
that  he  was  not  representing  Grand  Trunk  or  Northern  Pacific  track- 
men, and  that  the  men  he  represented  did  not  care  to  be  compared  with 
those  who  either  did  not  know  their  rights  or  did  not  have  the  courage 
to  ask  for  them,  he  reflected  great  credit  upon  himself,  his  colleagues 
and  the  C.  P.  Ry. 

The  trackmen  on  the  C.  P.  Ry.  have  not  failed  to  take  into  ac- 
count, in  the  general  summing  up  of  their  grievances,  the  increased 
volume  of  business  transacted  by  the  company,  the  general  rise  in 
values  of  agricultural  and  commercial  products  and  the  consequent 


Turned  On  by  a  Railway  Trackman.  13 

higher  cost  of  living,  aud  they  have  rightly  concluded  that  they  are 
entitled  to  share  the  general  prosperity  instead  of  submitting  to  a  re- 
duction of  wages,  which  is  practically  the  effect  of  higher  cost  of  living 
without  correspondingly  higher  pay. 

CHAPTER  II. 
preparing  for  trouble. 

The  representatives  of  the  maintenance-of-way  men  left  Montreal 
on  April  2G,  after  receiving  written  guarantees  from  the  general  man- 
ager that  neither  the  members  of  their  committee  nor  the  men  they 
represented  would  be  discriminated  against  on  account  of  holding 
membership  in  the  1>.  R.  T.  of  A.;  that  they  would  be  brought  back  to 
Montreal  before  the  end  of  May  for  the  purpose  of  considering  the 
matters  complained  of,  and  that  no  one  employed  by  the  company 
would  be  permitted  to  suffer  injustice. 

A  few  davs  after  mv  return  to  St.  Louis  letters  were  received  from 
men  working  at  various  places  on  the  system,  telling  me  that  a  mis- 
take had  been  made  in  not  forcing  the  company  to  make  a  settlement 
for  the  maintenance-of-way  men,  or  ordering  a  suspension  of  work 
while  the  ground  was  thawing  and  shims  were  being  removed,  as  it 
would  have  been  impossible  for  the  company  to  run  trains  many  days 
without  the  assistance  of  experienced  trackmen.  The  writers  believed 
the  company  were  pre])aring  for  ti'ouble.  They  had  employed  twice 
as  many  men  to  work  on  track  as  were  employed  during  the  same 
season  in  any  previous  year.  Foremen  were  instructed  to  rush  their 
forces  and  put  all  the  ties  in  the  track  before  the  end  of  May.  Such 
unusual  activity  aroused  the  suspicions  of  the  men  who  were  endeav- 
oring to  have  their  grievances  adjusted. 

Being  anxious  to  bring  about  a  proper  understanding  and  to 
effect  a  peaceable  settlement  between  the  C.  P.  Ry.  company  and  its 
maintenance-of-way  men,  I  attempted  to  avert  the  trouble  that  was 
brewing,  as  the  following  letter  sent  to  the  general  manager  indicates: 

St.  Louis,  Mo.,  May  13,  1901. 
Mr.  D.  McNicoll,  Second  Vice-President  and  General  Manager  C.  P.  Ry. 

Dear  Sir:  As  the  maintenance-of-way  department  employes  on  yonr  road 
have  formed  themselves  into  a  system  organization,  which  is  now  a  branch  of 
our  association,  and  have  requested  recognition  through  tlieir  committee  from 
the  management  of  your  company,  I  consider  it  my  duty  to  inform  you  of  our 
policy,  aud  of  the  character  of  the  organization  your  maintenance-of-way  .em- 
ployes are  affiliated  with.  Our  association  is  an  educational,  fraternal  and 
beneficial  institution.  Our  desire  is  to  promote  the  interests  of  employer  aud 
employe,  and  to  estal)lish  and  perpetuate  harmony  between  them. 

The  attached  printed  slip  under  the  head  of  "Suspensions  of  Local  Divis- 
ions" is  an  extract  from  my  report  submitted  to  our  delegates  when  assembled 


14  THE  CALCIUM  UGHT 

in  conveution  last  Decembtn'.  I  was  sustained  iu  revoking  the  charter  of  a 
division  whose  members  participated  in  an  unauthorized  strilie,  without  a  dis- 
senting vote.  My  object  iu  calling  your  attention  to  this  case  is  to  show  that 
our  laws  are  enforced  and  that  you  can  rely  upon  our  organization  to  act  in 
good  faith  toward  any  railway  company  entering  into  an  agreement  with  the 
members  of  any  of  our  branches. 

You  will  find  enclosed  a  copy  of  a  circular  letter  sent  out  from  Montreal, 
by  a  committee  of  your  employes,  to  all  members  of  our  organization  on  your 
road;  also  a  printed  copy  of  the  proceedings,  with  a  comment  written  by  my- 
self, which  is  self-explanatory. 

I  will  call  your  attention  to  a  typewritten  copy  of  Special  Circular  No. '40, 
issued  to  members  of  our  organization  a  few  Aveeks  in  advance  of  the  disastrous 
strike  which  took  place  on  several  of  the  leading  railways  in  the  States,  in 
June.  1894.  The  matters  referred  to  indicate  my  policy.  My  re-election  without 
opposition  at  each  convention  since  our  organization  was  established  is  positive 
proof  tliat  our  membership  generally  is  in  perfect  accord  with  my  policy.  I 
am  of  tho  opinion  that  railway  officials  can  do  much  towards  promoting  the 
interests  of  their  companies  and  their  employes,  and  to  insure  safe,  unmolested 
and  satisfactory  service  to  the  public,  by  encouraging  class  organizations  among 
their  employes,  and  especially  so  when  their  affairs  are  administered  along 
practical  lines  by  conservative  men  in  a  reasonable  and  consistent  way. 

I  hope  you  will  consider  carefully  the  requests  made  by  your  employes, 
and  that  you  will  see  your  way  clear  to  concede  the  things  asked  for.  If  you 
can  and  will  establish  minimum  rates  of  ^1.50  per  day  for  section  men,  and 
$2.00  per  day  for  foremen  in  the  localities  where  the  cost  of  living  is  the  cheap- 
est, and  allow  a  proportional  increase  in  localities  where  the  cost  of  living  is 
higher,  you  will,  no  doubt,  have  the  best  contented  and  most  faithful  set  of 
men  of  any  road  on  the  North  American  Continent,  and  I  am  of  opinion  that 
the  company  will  be  reimbursed  on  account  of  improved  service.  If  you  want 
the  best  there  is  iu  a  man  in  the  way  of  loyal  service,  treat  him  as  a  man 
should  be  treated,  allow  him  a  fair  day's  pay  for  an  honest  day's  work,  and 
convince  him  that  the  better  service  he  renders  the  greater  his  reward  will  be 
and  the  more  he  will  be  appreciated.  Yours  very  truly, 

JOHN  T.  WILSON,  President  B.  R.  T.  of  A. 

[Extract'  from  report  regarding  "Suspensions  of  Local  Divisions."] 
Several  local  divisions  have  been  suspended  and  their  charters  revoked  on 
account  of  their  members' declining  to  make  lawful  payments.  Only  one  char- 
ter has  been  revoked  on  account  of  misconduct  on  the  part  of  members  of  the 
division.  Members  of  Baltimore  Division  No.  124,  located  at  Baltimore.  Md., 
engaged  in  an  unauthorized  strike  under  such  conditions  that  I  considered  it 
my  duty,  and  for  the  best  interest  of  the  Brotherhood,  to  revoke  their  charter. 
The  members  of  the  said  Baltimore  division  were  employed  by  the  Baltimore 
and  Ohio  Railway,  and  did  not  constitute  tive  per  cent  of  our  membership  on 
that  system.  According  to  a  statement  made  by  Mr.  Willard,  assistant  general 
manager,  the  B.  &  O.  Ry.  company  made  concessions  on  the  first  of  April  of 
this  year  to  their  trackmen,  which  will  cost  the  company  more  than  $80,000.00 
per  annum.  All  matters  pertaining  to  the  affairs  of  the  Brotherliood  on  that 
system  were  moving  along  smoothly,  the  only  matter  in  dispute  being  tliat  the 
officials  had  declined   lo  confer  with  our  general   grievance  committee  on   that 


Turned  On  by  a  Railway  Trackman.  15 

system,  and  to  enter  into  an  agreement  with  it  which  would  govern  the  wages, 
terms  and  conditions  of  employment  of  their  trackmen. 

The  reason  assigned  by  tlie  assistant  general  manager  for  not  conferring 
with  our  committee  was  that  a  careful  research  had  been  made  which  showed 
that  less  than  one-third  of  the  B.  &  O.  trackmen  were  members  of  the  B.  11. 
T.  of  A.,  and  he  did  not  tliiuk  tlie  company  could  afford  to  recognize  a  com- 
mittee as  the  clioscn  representati.-es  of  tlieir  trackmen  when  the  committee 
was  not  authorized  to  do  l)usiuess  for  oue-third  of  the  men  working  for  the 
company  in  the  track  department. 

On  the  30tli  of  August  I  received  the  following  message  from  the  secretary 

of  Baltimore  Division  No.  124,  Avho  was  also  acting  as  chairman  of  the  general 

grievance  committee: 

Baltimore,    Md.,    August  30,    1900. 
John  T.   Wilson.   St.   Louis.  Mo. 

Men  of  Baltimore  Division  No.  124  all  out.  A  letter  explaining  will  be  forwarded. 
Answer   at   once.  WILLIAM    WIEBKING. 

1  replied  as  follows: 

St.   Louis,   Mo.,   August  31,  1900. 
William    Wiebkiug,    Baltimore,    Md. 

The  members  of  Division  No.  124,  engaged  in  an  unauthorized  strike,  have  forfeited 
their  membership  in  the  Brotherhood  of  Railway  Trackmen  of  America.  Their  charter 
is  hereby  revoked.  Inform  all  concerned  that  members  participating  In  an  unauthorized 
strike  will  receive  no  support  from  our  organization,  and  prevent  strike  from  spreading 
if  possible.  JOHN    T.    WILSON. 

[Special  Circular  No.  40.] 

St.  Louis,  Mo.,  May  17,  1894. 

Dear  Sirs  and  Brothers:  It  is  impossible  for  me  to  visit  all  the  subordinate 
divisions  of  the  order  at  this  time  and  personally  advise  with  the  membership 
upon  the  attitude  that  we,  as  an  organization  of  railway  employes,  should 
assume  at  the  present  important  conjuncture.  I  therefore  ask  division  chief 
foremen  to  read  this  circular  at  the  next  regular  or  special  meeting  of  sub- 
ordinate divisions. 

The  whole  country  i.s  still  in  the  throes  of  a  great  business  depression. 
Trade  is  paralyzed,  and  the  wheels  of  progress  have  to  a  serious  extent  ceased 
to  revolve.  About  oue-third  of  the  railways  of  the  country  are  bankrupted  and 
in  the  hands  of  receivers.  Thousands  of  men  are  out  of  employment,  while 
general  dissatisfaction  and  unrest  prevails  among  workingmen  everywhere.  It 
is  not  surprising,  therefore,  that  workingmen,  including  railway  employes, 
should  grasp  at  any  agency  that  promises  immediate  relief,  regardless  of  the 
future.  New-fangled  ideas  of  organization  are  being  sprung  upon  railway  em- 
ployes and  advocated  in  sensational  speeches  as  cures  for  all  the  ills  from 
which  we  suffer.  The  natural  result  is  that  a  wider  breach  than  ever  is  being 
formed  between  organized  capital  and  organized  labor,  between  employer  and 
employe. 

Believing  that  it  is  impossible  for  any  permanent  and  lasting  benefit  to 
accrue  to  us  through  such  agencies,  and  in  order  to  place  ourselves  in  the  best 
possible  position  fo  derive  benefits  from  our  organization  upon  the  retuuo  of 
prosperity  to  the  railway  interests  of  the  country.  I  would  urge  the  members 
of  the  Brotherhood  to  stand  by  their  employers  during  the  present  period  of 
depression.  I  believe  tliis  to  be  the  best  and  wisest  course  to  jHirsue.  and  that 
it  will  pay  best  in  the  long  run. 


16  THE  CAI.CIUM  I.IGHT 

An  orgauizatioQ  that,  like  a  musliroom,  springs  up  in  a  night  cannot  be 
dependetl  upon  for  practical  and  beneficial  results.  Every  one  knows  that 
history  is  constantly  repeating  itself,  and  in  this  connection  I  would  invite 
attention  to  the  career  of  the  Knights  of  Labor,  before  and  since  the  great 
strike  on  the  Gould  southwestern  system  in  1886.  Prior  to  the  strike  the 
Knights  of  Labor  enjoyed  a  tremendous  and  imprecedented  growth  among  rail- 
Avay  employes.  Many  seemed  to  think  that  the  K.  of  L.  had  created  a  new 
Avorld  and  transplanted  workingmen  thereto,  and  that  laboring  men  had  been 
redeemed  from  earthly  toil.  The  motto  of  the  order,  that  "an  injury  to  one  is 
the  concern  of  all,"  is  a  high  and  noble  idea,  but  the  result  of  that  great  strike 
only  proved  that  the  concern  of  one  may  very  readily  be  made  to  work  injury 
to  all.  Thousands  of  men  were  involved  in  the  strike,  many  of  tlieni  could 
not  tell  why.  AVith  the  strike  came  loss  of  life,  destruction  of  property  and 
sorrowful  defeat  to  the  order  of  the  Knights  of  Labor,  a  IjIow  from  which  it 
has  even  yet  not  recovered.  Before,  during  and  since  that  notable  strike, 
class  organizations  have  been  maintained  by  railroad  employes,  and  through 
their  wioe,  conservative  and  moderate  methods  they  have  secured  unnumbered 
concessions  from  railway  managements  in  the  way  of  wages  and  rules  and 
regulations.  These  organizations  have  maintained  friendly  relations  with  the 
railway  companies,  have  won  the  esteem  and  respect  of  the  public,  and  have 
been  recognized  and  commended  by  the  courts  as  legal  and  useful  institutions. 

Our  own  organization  has  filled  every  reqiiirement  where  the  members 
have  worked  intelligently  for  any  object.  We  have  had  wages  increased;  we 
have  had  wages  restored;  we  have  prevented  reductions  of  wages;  we  are 
promptly  paying  all  just  death  and  total  disability  claims;  our  committees  are 
being  received  by  the  officials  and  grievances  are  being  adjusted.  Every  pru- 
dent effort  yet  made  by  our  members  to  advance  their  interests  has  resulted 
in  some  degree  of  permanent  success.  Increased  efforts  along  the  same  lines 
that  we  are  now  traveling  will  bring  about  increased  success.  We  have  every 
reason  to  be  encouraged  to  work  for  the  advancement  of  the  Order.  Many  who 
have  in  the  past  opposed  us  have  come  to  regard  the  Order  in  a  more  favorable 
light.  Wherever  we  are  established  the  better  class  of  trackmen  join  the  Order 
and  remain  with  it.  What  we  most  need  to  learn  is  to  intelligently  present 
our  grievances.  We  should  know  just  what  we  want,  why  we  are  entitled  to 
it,  and  be  able  to  explain  the  justice  of  our  position  to  others.  Not  until  we 
can  do  this  can  we  hope  to  have  all  our  grievances  adjusted. 

Members  desiring  my  assistance  in  presenting  grievances  will  please  ob- 
serve and  comply  with  the  provisions  of  our  constitution  before  calling  upon 
me.  It  is  to  be  hoped,  for  it  is  certainly  our  best  policy,  that  our  members 
will  not  rush  into  court,  nor  engage  in  any  strike  unless  a  conference  with  the 
management  has  been  refused,  or  has  resulted  unsatisfactorily.  Such  a  course 
would,  in  the  end,  only  result  in  our  own  and  our  Order's  injury. 

One  of  the  greatest  obstacles  that  we  have  to  overcome  is  the  inability  of 
our  members  to  secure  passes  to  and  from  monthly  meetings.  This  difficulty 
can  be  surmounted  by  convincing  railway  officials  that  our  intention  is  to 
advance  the  interests  of  the  companies  as  well  as  our  own;  that  our  mission 
is  to  build  up  and  not  to  tear  down.  I  have  recently  conversed  with  several 
roadmasters  who  complained  that,  while  they  were  perfectly  willing  to  give 
their  men  passes  to  attend  division  meetings  with  the  expectation  that  the  men 
would  be  benefited  thereby,  some  used  the  occasion  only  to  drink  and  frolic 


Turned  On  by  a  Railway  Trackman.  17 

an9  spoufl  money  foolishly  that  their  families  needed.  It  would  be  better  for 
the  Order  if  those  who  are  guilty  of  such  oouduct  would  surrender  their  cer- 
tiheates  of  meiubership  and  cease  to  cast  discredit  upou  au  organization  whose 
existence  and  usefulness  depends  upon  the  sobriety  and  integrity  of  its  indi' 
vidual  members.  Yours  in  B.  L.  &  U. 

JOHN   T.   AVILSON. 

The  gonei'til  manager  did  not  consider  the  above  letter,  explaining 
the  objects,  methods,  and  character  of  the  IJrotherhood  of  Railway 
(Trackmen  of  America,  worthy  of  a  reply. 

The  committeemen  returned  to  Montreal  on  May  29  and  proceeded 
to  the  manager's  otHce  on  the  morning  of  May  30,  where  they  were 
introduced  by  the  manager  to  one  of  the  general  superintendents,  who 
entertained  them  in  various  ways  for  several  days,  but  declined  to  do 
anv  business  with  them. 

During  the  time  the  maintenance-of-way  men's  representatives 
and  the  C.  P.  Ry.  officials  were  holding  conferences  in  April,  a  man 
named  R.  C.  Montgomery,  residing  at  AA'ebwood,  Ont.,  called  at  the 
committee's  headcjuarters  and  exjjressed  a  desire  to  serve  on  the  com- 
mittee. The  maintenance-of-way  men  on  the  division  on  which  Mr. 
Montgomery  was  working  had  sent  a  representative,  Mr.  F.  Frederick, 
who  was  unable  to  explain  the  reason  of  Mr.  Montgomery's  presence. 
The  organizer,  who  went  over  the  division  and  obtained  an  expression 
from  the  men  as  to  who  should  represent  them,  upon  being  asked  if 
he  knew  anything  about  Mr.  Montgomery,  stated  he  found  him  to  be 
indifferent  about  matters  pertaining  to  the  B.  R.  T.  of  A.;  that  he  de- 
clined to  pay  his  dues,  and  that  no  one  on  the  division  had  expressed 
a  desire  to  be  rejuesented  by  him.  ]\Ir.  Montgomery,  however,  so  im- 
pressed the  chairman  of  the  committee,  that  he  expressed  a  desire  to 
have  him  return  in  May,  when  negotiations  were  to  be  resumed.  Upon 
further  inquiry  it  was  learned  that  Mr,  Montgomery  had  been  working 
under  an  ofticial  who,  about  five  years  prior  to  the  time  of  writing,  was 
sent  to  Montreal  to  try  and  have  grievances  adjusted  for  the  trackmen; 
but  instead  of  carrying  out  their  instructions  sent  a  circular  letter  to 
the  trackmen  stating  that  the  oflficials  would  allow  them  to  have  the 
grass  growing  on  the  right-of-way  cut  for  their  milk  cows,  and  he  be- 
lieved the  officials  were  doing  all  they  could  for  them.  A  short  time 
thereafter  he  was  promoted.  The  action  of  this  official,  coupled  with 
the  actions  of  Mr.  Montgomery,  and  his  general  dem<»anor,  caused  some 
of  the  trackmen's  representatives  to  suspect  that  he  was  seekin'^  an 
opportunity  to  further  his  own  ends  at  the  expense  of  his  fellow  work- 
men. 

On  the  evening  of  May  31  I  requested  the  secretary  of  the  com- 
mittee to  visit  the  St.  James  Hotel,  where  some  of  the  C.  P.  Ry.  ofRcials 


18  THE  CALCIUM  LIGHT 

were  slopping,  and  find  out  if  ;Mi-.  Montgomery  was  there,  as  he  could 
not  be  found  at  the  Grand  Union  Hotel.  On  his  return  he  reported 
that  Mr.  Montgomery  was  at  the  St.  James  Hotel,  consulting  with  C. 
P.  Ky.  officials.  This  caused  the  committee  to  convene  and  pass  the 
following  resolution  the  next  morning,  June  1: 

Moved  by  J.  W.  Johnson,  seconded  by  G.  McTaggart,  tbat, 
WHEREAS,  The  members  of  the  grievance  committee  representing  the  main- 
tenance-of-way  department  employes  are  not  here  to  discuss  matters  that  con- 
cern themselves,  or  to  seek  i^romotion  for  themselves  individually,  but  have 
been  sent  here  to  represent,  and,  if  possible,  to  promote  the  interests  of  all 
maintenance-of-way  men  on  the  C.  P.  Railway;  therefore,  be  it 

RESOLVED,  That  if  any  member  of  the  committee  malvcs  any  reference  to 
promotion  for  himself  while  in  conference  Avith  C.  P.  Railway  otticials;  speaks 
to  any  of  them  at  any  time  or  place  concerning  our  mission  in  Montreal,  except 
when  called  upon  to  do  so  by  the  chairman,  in  tlie  presence  of  other  members, 
lie  shall  be  suspended  from  the  committee,  and  not  permitted  to  talie  part  in 
its  deliberations,  or  to  be  present  or  take  part  in  conferences  between  this  com- 
mittee and  the  Canadian  Pacific  Railway  officials. 

(Signed)      J.  LENNOX,  Chairman. 
THEO.   EDMUNDSON, 

E.  E.  NASON, 

J.  W.  JOHNSON, 
R.   C.   MONTGOMERY, 
JNO.  B.  BRUNSKILL, 
GEO.  A.  McTAGGART, 

F.  FREDERICK, 

A.  F.  STOUT,  Secretary. 

On  the  morning  of  June  6,  as  the  conferences  with  the  general 
superintendent  (the  manager  occasionally  being  present)  had  not  re- 
sulted in  anything  satisfactory  to  the  committee,  and  believing  there 
was  little  hope  of  accomplishing  anything,  they  desired  to  test  the 
manager's  sincerity  and  find  out  if  he  really  desired  to  make  a  peace- 
able settlement.     The  following  letter  was  prepared  and  sent  to  him : 

Montreal,  June  6th,  1901. 
Mr.  D.  McNicoll,  Second  Vice  President  and  G(  ueral  Manager,  C.  P.  Ry. 

Dear  Sir:  A  committee  representing  your  mainteuance-of-way  employes 
■was  convened  in  this  city  on  the  13th  of  April.  Several  days  were  consumed 
in  perusing  correspondence  from  maintenance-of-way  men  on  all  parts  of  the 
system,  setting  forth  their  grievances.  AVe  then  prepared  a  memorandum  per- 
taining to  wages,  terms,  and  conditions  of  employment,  a  copy  of  which  was 
submitted  to  you  on  the  18th  of  April.  In  presenting  the  schedule  we  sub- 
mitted to  you  in  writing  and  figures,  what  your  maintenance-of-way  men 
believe  they  are  entitled  to.  As  you  have  had  more  than  six  weeks  to  consider 
the  matter  and  conferences  have  been  held  daily  since  May  30th  without  making 
very  much  progress,  we  will  request  you  to  prepare  a  document  setting  forth 
the  terms  and  conditions  of  employment  for  maintenance-of-way  department 
employes*  and  stating  the  concessions  you  thinlv  the  company  can  make  under 


Turned  On  by  a  Raii^way  Trackman.  19 

the  circumstauces,  so  we  cau  compare  your  proposition  with  tlie  proposition 
submitted  by  us  on  behalf  of  the  men  anil  determine  what  the  differences 
really  are. 

We  desire  to  be  fair  with  the  company.  The  position  taken  l>y  us  has  been 
reduced  to  writing  and  submitted;  therefore,  Ave  thinlc  you  should  be  as  frank 
with  the  committee  as  we  have  been  with  you.       Yours  very  truly. 

J.  LENNOX,  Chairman  of  Committee. 

No  reply  having  been  received  to  the  above  letter  from  the  man- 
ager, the  following  letter  was  sent  to  his  office  the  next  day  by  special 
messenger : 

Montreal,  June  7,  1901. 
Mr.  D.  McNicoU,  Second  Vice-President  and  General  Manager,  C.  P.  Ry. 

Dear  Sir:  Will  you  complj'  with  the  request  contained  in  the  letter  handed 
you  yesterday?    If  so,  what  time  may  we  expect  your  answer? 

Failing  to  receive  a  reply  by  noon  tomorrow,  .Tune  8th,  will  be  considered 
a  negative  answer  by  us.  Yours  truly, 

-  J.  LENNON,  Chairman  of  Committee. 

To  this  the  manager  replied  as  follows: 

Montreal,  June  7th,  1901. 
Mr.  J.  Lennon,  Grand  Union  Hotel,  City. 

Dear  Sir:  I  beg  to  acknowledge  receipt  of  your  letter  of  6th  instant,  which 
greatly  surprises  me. 

On  16th  April  last  you  requested  a  conference,  later  you  submitted  a  propo- 
sition to  me,  and  in  your  letter  of  19th  April  stated  you  desired  to  discuss  with 
me  the  contents  thereof. 

I  have  caused  the  difterent  points  in  your  memorandum  to  be  most  fully 
investigated.  Representatives  of  this  company  have  looked  fully  into  what 
you  call  your  grievances;  others  have  studied  the  conditions  on  neighboring 
railwajs;  careful  comparison  has  been  made  between  the  rate  of  pay  on  the 
Canadian  Pacific  Railway  and  that  of  otlier  railways  with  whom  we  have  to 
compete  for  trade,  and  as  a  result  it  is  our  strong  conviction  that  the  conditions 
attending  the  services  of  trackmen  on  the  Canadian  Pacific  Railway  are  as 
good  as  they  are  on  other  raihA'ays,  in  many  instances  better,  and  tliat  the 
rate  of  pay  in  neai'ly  all  cases  is  higher  than  that  of  our  neighbors,  especi(illy 
that  of  the  section  foremen,  and  this,  I  observe  in  your  circular  letter  to  track- 
men, you  fully  acknowledge. 

I  have  brouglit  some  of  our  ofHcials,  best  acquainted  with  your  Avork  and 
surroundings,  long  distances  to  Montreal  to  fidly  discuss  with  you  any  ques- 
tions requiring  consideration,  and  they  have  spent  sevei'al  days  Avith  j'ou,  I 
being  occasionally  present. 

We  have  already  made  a  substantial  addition  to  the  rate  of  pay  of  section 
men.  and  as  advised  you,  in  order  to  remove  the  possibility  of  complaint  that 
our  employes  in  the  track  department  are  not  paid  the  highest  rate  paidliy 
our  neighbors  in  corresponding  territory  under  lilce  conditions,  Ave  haA'e  decided 
to  make  some  more  changes  and  increases,  but  your  committee's  decision  to 
confine  your  discussion  Avitli  our  officers,  to  the  general  features  of  your  original 
proposition,  without  being  Avilling  to  consider  individual  items  has  brought 
matters  to  a  standstill. 


20  THE  CAI.CIUM  LIGHT 

Day  by  day  you  have  simply  listeued  aud  adjouiued  aud  then  returned 
without  any  definite  expressions  that  would  malie  it  possible  to  arrive  at 
results,  and  now  by  your  letter  of  6th  instant  you  request  that  we  submit  you 
a  proposition  in  writing  that  you  might  compare  it  with  your  own.  In  the 
present  circumstances,  aud  without  further  information  from  you,  it  would  be 
impossible  to  formulate  any  proposition,  but  we  are  willing  to  meet  your  com- 
mittee to  discuss  their  suggestions  or  alleged  grievances,  aud  do  Avhat  we 
properly  can  to  meet  your  vieAvs.  Yours  truly, 

D.  McNICOLL,  Second  Vice-President  and  Gen.  Mgr. 

The  committee  again  wrote  the  general  manager  as  follows: 

Montreal,  June  8th,  1901. 
D.  McNicoll,  Esq.,  Second  Vice-President  and  General  Manager.  C.  P.  Ry. 

Dear  Sir:  Your  favor  of  the  7th  instant  has  been  received  and  carefully 
considered  by  our  committee.  All  of  us  are  disappointed,  as  you  failed  to  comply 
with  our  request,  which  was  for  you  to  furnish  us  with  an  outline  of  what  the 
company  considers  reasonable  wages  and  fair  conditions  of  employment  for 
maiuteuance-of-way  men. 

We  came  here  with  written  instructions  and  authority  to  represent  your 
maintenance-of-way  employes,  including  all  track  forces,  bridgemen,  track 
watchmen,  and  switch  tenders,  under  the  jurisdiction  of  roadmasters  and  sec- 
tion foremen. 

In  our  discussions  you  have  not  recognized  our  right  to  discuss  the  griev- 
ances of  any  class  or  classes  of  employes  except  track  foremen  and  trackmen, 
and  have  expressed  your  intentions  not  to  make  any  concessions,  except  in 
individual  cases.  Without  you  will  concede  our  right  to  represent  all  of  the 
mainteuance-of-way  men  we  have  been  authorized  to  speak  for,  further  dis- 
cussion is  unnecessary. 

During  our  conferences  most  of  the  time  has  been  consumed  in  discussing 
the  wages  of  trackmen  on  the  Grand  Trunk  and  other  railways.  We  did  not 
come  here  to  consider  the  wrongs  that  are  being  imposed  upon  trackmen  by 
the  Grand  Trunk  and  other  raihvay  companies;  our  business  here  is  to  con- 
tend for  a  just  shai'e  of  the  wealth  the  maintenance-of-way  men  on  the  Cana- 
dian Pacific  Railway  are  helping  to  create.  We  could  take  the  position  that 
the  Canadian  Pacific  Railway  Company  is  paying  other  classes  of  its  employes 
more  than  is  paid  for  similar  service  on  the  Grand  Trunk  and  other  roads,  but 
that  is  foreign  to  the  question  at  issue.  Our  instructions  are  to  secure  an 
agreement  setting  forth  the  terms  and  conditions  of  employment  and  wages 
for  maintenance-of-way  men,  and  we  Avould  like  to  resume  confereudz-s  with 
the  understanding  that  we  are  representing  your  maintenance-of-way  men, 
and  that  if  an  agreement  can  be  reached  it  will  be  signed  by  the  proper  official 
of  the  company. 

If,  after  this  explanation,  you  desire  to  receive  the  committee,  please  inform 
us  at  your  earliest  convenience  when  we  will  be  received. 

Yours  truly,  J.  LENNON,  Chairman  of  Committee. 

P.  S. — Our  committee  is  under  heavy  expense.  Please  prepare  and  send 
your  answer  by  messenger  as  soon  as  possible.     J.  L. 


Turned  On  by  a  Railway  Trackman.  21 

The  manager's  reply: 

Montreal,  10th  Juuo,  1901. 
Mr.  J.  Lcnnon,  Grand  Union  Hott'l,  City. 

Dear  Sir:  Yonr  letter  of  the  8tli  instant  reached  my  ortiee  Satnrday  after- 
noon, but  I  scarcely  see  the  necessity  for  it  in  view  of  the  otter  I  have  already 
made  to  meet  you  and  discuss  your  rating  nnd  alleged  grievances. 

Your  letter  of  the  6th  instant  did  not  aslc  for  an  outline  of  what  the  com- 
pany considered  reasonable  wages  and  fair  conditions,  but  asked  that  we  sub- 
mit you  a  proposition  containing  concessions  that  we  thought  we  could  make, 
so  that  you  might  make  comparisons. 

I  tind  the  wages  that  you  have  been  getting  prior  to  the  first  of  May  were 
generally  higher  than  those  paid  by  other  railways  in  Canada,  or  in  the  United 
States,  in  corresponding  territory,  with  whom  Ave  have  to  compete  for  business. 

On  the  first  of  ^lay  last  we  made  a  very  substantial  increase  in  the  pay 
of  certain  of  the  section  men,  it  being  given  to  those  longest  in  our  service. 

We  have  made  a  still  further  advance,  effective  first  of  June,  affecting  prin- 
cipally the  section  foremen  and  leading  men  at  large  divisional  yards  and  the 
section  men  who  have  been  and  remain  in  our  service  for  a  period  of  one  year. 

On  a  large  portion  of  our  Pacific  Division  and  Crow's  Nest  Branch,  as  the 
conditions  are  different  from  those  in  the  East,  we  have  made  a  very  sub- 
stantial advance  to  section  men. 

The  section  foremen,  generally.  I  find  are  paid  very  much  higher  by  us  than 
on  other  competing  railways,  and  we  have  not.  therefore,  thought  it  advisable 
to  make  a  general  increase  in  their  pay. 

We  have  also  issued  a  liberal  set  of  rules,  a  copy  of  which  I  enclose,  under 
which  all  section  foremen  and  section  men  will  be  dealt  witli  in  future,  and 
which  we  will  probably  enlarge  as  necessity  arises  and  opportunity  offers. 

The  company  is  anxious,  as  I  have  repeatedly  said,  to  have  the  treatment 
accorded  to  its  employes  in  every  department  equal  to  the  best  given  by  any 
company,  both  as  to  remuneration  and  working  conditions. 

Although  on  investigation  it  was  found  that  the  company's  officers  could 
not  meet  .vour  demands  without  disregarding  the  labor  market  and  establishing 
on  the  Canadian  Pacific  system  a  basis  of  pay  very  much  iu  excess  of  that 
prevailing  on  other  systems  similarly  situated,  it  was  decided  to  go  to  the 
extreme  limit  that  coiild  be  justified,  and,  as  I  have  stated  above,  increases 
have  been  granted  for  length  of  service  and  other  reasons  which  represent  an 
annual  addition  to  your  payrolls  of  one  hundred  thousand   dollars. 

If  you  still  desire  to  meet  me,  let  me  know  the  date  and  hour,  please,  on 
which  you  desire  the  meeting.  Yours  truly. 

D.  McXICOLL,  Second  Vice-President  and  (General  Manager. 

The   fomniittee  rejilied  as  follows: 

Montnal,   .Tune  10.  1901. 
Mr.  D.  McXicoll.  Second  Vice  President  and  (General  ?ilanager.  C.   P.  Ry. 

Dear  Sir:  Your  favor  of  even  date  has  been  received,  and  as  you  have 
failed  to  state  what  you  consider  fair  wages  and  fair  conditions  of  employment 
for  your  maintenance-of-way  men,  we  do  not  thiidv  it  necessary  to  discus^the 
matters  we  have  under  consideration  any  further  with  you;  therefore,  we  have 
decided  to  make  an  effort  to  secure  what  we  consider  a  fair  settlement,  and 
one  that  will  be  satisfactory  to  the  men  we  represent,  through  Mr.  Shaugh- 
uessy,  president  of  the  Canadian  Pacific  Railway   ('oinp.in.v . 

Yours  truly,  J.  LENNOX,  Chairman  Committee. 


22  THE  CAI.CIUM  UGHT 

On  June  7,  before  the  seances  given  bj  the  general  superintendent 
bad  ceased,  division  superintendents  and  roadniasters  started  over 
their  divisions  distributing  the  following  "Kules  Governing  the  Ser- 
vice of  Section  Foremen  and  Sectionmen."  The  foremen  were  told  by 
their  superintendents,  and  roadmasters  that  their  committee  had  left 
MontreaJ: 

CANADIAN  PACIFIC  RAILWAY  COMTANY. 
RULES  GOVERNING  THE   SERVICE  OF   SECTION  FOREMEN   AND 

SECTIONMEN. 

1.  Teu  hours  will  constitute  a  day's  work  for  section  foremen  and  section- 
men.  When  required  to  work  over  ten  hours,  or  on  Sundays,  overtime  will  be 
allowed  pro  rata. 

2.  Regular  trackmen  taken  from  their  plaee  of  residence  temporarily  to 
work  on  snow  or  tie  trains,  or  other  work,  will  be  compensated  for  the  addi- 
tional expense  they  necessarily  incur. 

3.  Sectioumeu  when  employed  as  track  walkers  will  be  paid  at  their 
regular  rate  for  the  time  occupied,  with  a  minimum  of  one-half  day. 

4.  Trackmen  required  to  attend  switch  lamps  before  or  after  their  regular 
hours  will  receive  therefor  fifty  (50)  cents  per  lamp  per  month. 

5.  Trackmen  will  be  promoted  to  the  position  of  foreman  on  their  re- 
spective superintendent's  or  roadmaster's  division  in  order  of  seniority,  pro- 
vided they  are  found  qualified. 

6.  In  spai'sely  settled  districts  the  company  will,  for  trackmen,  during 
the  summer  season,  transport  free  of  charge,  fresh  meats  twice  a  week  from 
the  nearest  point  of  supply,  and  eatables  and  clothing  at  half  regular  rates. 

7.  A  member  of  .the  household  of  a  section  foreman,  will  be  furnished 
Avith  free  transportation  twice  a  month  to  and  from  the  nearest  point  for  the 
purpose  of  purchasing  the  necessary  supplies. 

8.  Trackiuen  who  have  been  in  the  service  of  the  company  continuously 
for  a  period  of  one  year  as  such,  will  be  granted  leave  of  absence  and  trans- 
portation once  a  year  to  any  point  on  their  respective  general  superintendent's 
division. 

9.  Trackmen  suspended  pending  investigation  will  be  allowed  time  while 
suspended  when  investigation  proves  them  blameless. 

10.  Trackmen    leaving    the    service    through    reduction    of    staff:    when    re- 
engaged within  one  year,  will  be  granted  free  transportation  to  place  of  work. 

11.  The  company  will  keep  section  houses  in  repair.     Cost  of  repairs  other 
than  ordinary  wear  and  tear  will  be  charged  to  occupants. 

12.  Where  Avater  is  transported  for  use  of  section  gangs,  good  water  and 
suitable  sunken  tanks  will  be  provided. 

7th  June,  1901. 

The  above  "rules"  did  not  contain  the  signature  of  any  C.  P.  Ry. 
official,  and  was  not  submitted  to  the  committee. 

To  better  give  the  reader  an  idea  of  the  course  of  procedure 
adoj)ted  by  the  company  to  disorganize  the  men,  the  following  letters, 
taken  at  random  from  many  received  at  headipiarlers,  are  reproduced: 


Turned  On  by  a  Railway  Trackman.  23 

Juue  8,  1901. 

For  your  inl'oniuitiun  I  will  state  the  C\  1'.  11.  eoiupany's  offieials  are  again 
resorting  to  their  old  game  of  trying  to  undermine  our  committee.  Yesterday 
the  superintendent  and  roadmaster  went  over  tliis  division  on  a  special  engine 
and  interviewed  every  man,  but  did  not  change  many  minds.  I  was  the  first 
to  be  interviewed.  The  engine  pidled  up  and  stopped;  the  roadmaster  stepped 
oil'.  As  soon  as  I  saw  him  1  knew  there  was  something  wrong.  lie  said:  "I 
suppose  you  Icnow  that  1  have  been  in  Montieal  for  the  last  three  weeks  trying 
to  settle  with  your  committee,  but  could  not  do  anything  with  them;  they  are 
a  lot  of  fools.  1  have  with  me  a  copy  of  the  schedule  the  conipany  has  decided 
to  give  you.  Your  wages  will  be  increased  ten  cents  a  day;  the  wages  of  your 
oldest  man  will  be  increased  ten  cents  a  day,  but  the  remainder  of  your  men 
will  receive  the  old  rate  of  Avages." 

"Y'es,"  I  said,  "and  then  you  will  discharge  our  committee?" 

"Oh,  no,"  he  said. 

"Well,  look  here,"  1  replied,  '"do  .^ou  know  A\iiat  I  think?  1  think  Mr. 
McNi.'i'oll  never  intended  to  recognize  our  committee.  In  April  he  asked  them 
to  go  home  and  come  back  to  Montreal  the  latter  part  of  May,  and  he  would 
adjust  our  grievances.  He  immediately  gave  orders  for  three  or  four  extra 
men  to  be  put  to  work  on  each  section  to  help  put  in  ties,  a  thing  that  was 
never  done  before;  then  he  invited  the  committee  to  return  to  Montreal  and 
kept  them  there  until  a  day  or  two  ago  without  adopting  a  clause  of  the  pro- 
posed schedule.  No,  do  not  misunderstand  me:  I  am  going  to  stand  by  the 
committee." 

He  then  said:  "The  C.  P.  Ry.  is  rich;  you  are  poor,  and  my  advice  to  you 
is  to  remain  at  work;  or  if  you  go  out  in  order  to  comply  with  your  obligation 
to  your  committee,  you  can  return  to  work  the  next  day.  In  this  way  you 
will  fulfill  your  obligation  to  your  committee,  and  to  your  Order." 

I  answered  by  saying:     "If  I  am  ordered  out  by  our  committee  I  will  go 

out  to  stay.     I  am  poor  but  honest,  and  am  not  afraid  to  work.     If  I  cannot 

work  for  the  company  under  fair  conditions,  I  will  hnd  other  employment." 

*        «        * 

June  8,  1901. 
I  write  to  inform  you  that  the  officials  on  tliis  division  are  trying  to  make 
fools  of  us  trackmen.  The  roadmaster  went  over  the  division  today  with  a 
special  train,  telling  us  our  committee  had  left  ^Montreal  without  making  a 
settlement,  and  that  while  there  they  were  drunk  and  did  not  attend  to  busi- 
ness. At  first  I  believed  the  story,  but  after  thinking  the  matter  over  I  con- 
cluded it  Avas  a  scheme  to  discourage  and  disorganize  the  men,  and  cause 
them  to  lose  confidence  in  tlieir  representatives.  The  roadmaster  tried  to  find 
out  who  would  stick  to  their  Avork,  and  Avho  Avould  not,  in  case  a  strike  is 
ordered,  but  the  men  here  Avould  not  give  him  any  satisfaction.  1  write  this 
to  put  you  on  your  guard.  It  will  be  advisable  for  you  to  notify  all  tlie  men 
along  the  line,  as  many  of  them  may  be  persuaded  to  believe  the  story.  I  am 
afraid  Ave  Avill  have  to  strike  and  fight  for  our  rights  before  the  company  will 
recognize  us  and  settle  our  grievances. 

June  10  the  following;  letter  was  mailed  to  each  member  of  the 
B.  R.  T.  of  A.  on  the  C.  P.  Ry.  system: 

Your  committee  has  not  been  able  to  make  a  settlement  with  the  general 
managei'.     ^Ve  contend  for  fair  wag'>s,  fair  conditions  of  employment,  and  an 


24  THE  CALCIUM  LIGHT 

agreement  signed  by  the  proper  official,  Avliioli  will  protect  all  maintenance-of- 
way  men  against  injustice  and  petty  discrimination.  He  declines  to  make  any 
concessions  except  in  individual  cases,  and  told  us  plainly,  in  the  presence  of 
five  roadmasters.  that  it  is  the  policy  of  the  company  to  replace  roadmasters 
with  civil  engineers.  We  requested  him  to  give  us  an  outline  in  writing  stating 
what  he  considers  fair  wages,  and  fair  conditions  of  employment  for  mainte- 
nance-of-way  men. 

In  reply  to  our  request  on  the  8th  instant,  he  suggested  that  conferences 
be  resumed,  and  on  the  same  day  sent  out  a  list  of  printed  rules  without  attach- 
ing any  signature  thereto;  they  are  being  distributed  by  roadmasters,  who  are 
telling  the  men  along  the  line  that  their  committee  went  home.  The  president 
of  the  company  will  be  informed  of  the  double  dealing  that  is  going  on,  and 
requested  to  consider  your  grievances  at  once,  and  mal^e  a  fair  settlement; 
if  he  declines  to  do  so,  a  suspension  of  work  will  be  ordered.  You  know  what 
your  instructions  to  your  committee  are;  rest  assured  they  will  be  carried  out 
to  tne  best  of  our  ability.  We  have  not  and  are  not  going  to  act  rash;  if  the 
company  forces  us  to  suspend  work,  we  will  "strike  to  win,"  even  if  it  takes  a 
year.  We  have  been  fair  with  the  manager;  your  grievances  were  submitted 
in  writing,  with  an  explanation  why  you  think  you  are  entitled  to  the  things 
asked  for;  if  he  has  any  conception  of  fair  wages  and  fair  conditions  of  employ- 
ment for  our  craft,  he  has  not  submitted  it  to  your  committee  in  writing.  Pay 
no  attention  to  rumors  or  false  reports;  be  as  true  to  yourselves  and  families 
as  your  committee  is  going  to  be  to  your  interests.  If  you  will  do  this  the 
matter  will  be  settled  and  settled  right.        Yours  in  B.  L.  and  U. 

(Signed)      JOSEPH  LENNON,  chairman. 
R.  C.  MONTGOMERY, 

E.  E.  NASON, 
THEODORE   EDMUNDSON, 

F.  F.   FREDERIC, 
J.  B.   BRUNSKILL, 
GEORGE    McTAGGART, 
J.   ^Y.  JOHNSON, 

A.  F.   STOUT,   Secretary. 

REMARKS: 

It  seems  that  at  least  some  of  the  officials  of  the  Canadian  Pacific  Railway 
are  not  disposed  to  be  fair  with  the  committee,  the  men  they  represent,  or  the 
public.  They  did  not  stop  at  telling  the  men  all  along  the  line  that  your  com- 
mittee had  left  Montreal,  which  is  false.  In  some  cases  they  have  told  the 
men  that  the  committeemen  were  drunk,  and  did  not  attend  to  business  while 
here.  In  defence  of  the  committee  I  must  say  they  have  conducted  themselves 
in  a  manner  becoming  to  gentlemen  and  good  citizens  and  have  earnestly  worked 
night  and  day  trying  to  effect  a  peaceable  settlement.  The  only  drunken  man 
I  have  seen  in  Montreal  was  one  of  the  C.  P.  Railway  officials,  who  asked  me 
to  advise  him  what  to  do,  and  wanted  to  know  if  I  thought  it  would  l>e  proper 
for  him  to  make  a  confession  to  his  superior  officer.  I  told  him  to  go  to  bed. 
and  get  sober  and  then  go  home  and  ask  his  wife  to  excuse  him.  and  his  God 
to  pardon  him  and  to  conduct  himself  as  a  gentleman  should  hereafter,  and 
fear  no  man. 

If  .vour  committee  fails  to  make  a  settlement,  and  trouble  is  forced  upon 
you,  maintain  your  manhood,  continue  to  be  honest,  hard-working,  law-abiding 


Turned  On  by  a  Railway  Trackman.  25 

citizens,  as  you  have  been  in  tbe  past,  and  the  good  people  of  the  Douiiuiou  of 
Canada  will  aid  you  in  your  struggles  to  redress  the  wrongs  that  have  been, 
and  are  now  being  imposed  upon  you. 

J.  T.  WILSON,  President  B.  R.  T.  of  A. 

The  attitude  of  the  manager  towards  the  committeemeu,  coupled 
with  the  doings  of  his  subordinate  ofticials,  was  taken  as  proof  positive 
that  he  did  not  intend  to  recognize  the  committee  or  to  make  a  satis- 
factory settlement  with  it. 

After  discussing  the  situation,  the  committee  decided  not  to  con- 
sume any  more  time  arguing  the  case  with  him,  and  placed  the  matter 
in  the  hands  of  the  president  of  their  organization. 

The  following  is  a  copy  of  the  letter  sent  by  the  president  of  the 
Brotherhood  of  Railway  Trackmen  to  the  president  of  the  C.  P.  Ry. 
company : 

Montreal,  .Tune  10th.   1901. 
T.  G.  Shaughnessy.  President  Canadian  Pacific  Railway  Co. 

Dear  Sir:  Enclosed  hercAvith  is  a  copy  of  a  circular  letter  whith  lias  been 
forwarded  to  each  of  your  maintenance-of-Avay  men  by  a  committee  duly 
authorized  to  represent  them  and  to  treat  with  the  company  for  the  purpose 
of  securing  a  satisfactory  agreement  pertaining  to  wages,  terms  and  condi- 
tions of  employment,  etc. 

In  behalf  of  the  committee  I  feel  authorized  to  say  they  are  anxious  to 
secure  a  fair  and  satisfactory  settlement,  to  perpetuate  harmony  and  good 
feeling  among  all  of  your  employes  and  to  aid  in  improving  the  service  of  the 
company. 

According  to  my  judgment  the  committee  has  been  much  fairer  with  your 
subordinates  in  trying  to  effect  a  settlement  than  they  (your  subordinates)  have 
been  towards  the  committee.  Tlie  men  realize  that  they  need  employment  from 
the  company,  but  at  the  same  time  thinlv  the  company  should  in  some  way  give 
substantial  evidence  of  its  appreciation  of  their  services. 

It  being  the  policy  of  the  organization  I  represent  (the  Brotherhood  of 
Railway  Trackmen  of  America)  to  avert  trouble  between  our  members  and 
their  employers  Avhen  it  can  be  done  in  an  honorable  way,  I  will  request  you 
to  receive  the  committee  and  consider  the  men's  complaints,  and  I  will  be  glad 
to  do  anything  I  can  that  seems  to  me  right  and  reasonable  to  aid  in  bringing 
about  a  proper  understanding  and  a  satisfactory  settlement  of  all  differences. 

The  committee  is  of  the  opinion  that  if  tlie  company  desires  to  retain  them 
and  tlie  men  they  represent  in  its  servii-e.  steps  should  be  taljen  along  prac- 
tical lines  at  once  to  bring  the  matter  to  a  close. 

If  you  desire  to  avoid  a  suspension  of  work  by  the  maintenance-of-way  men 
on  your  road  and  will  consider  the  men's  complaints  at  once,  please  advise  me 
not  later  than  noon  today  (.June  11);  in  case  no  answer  is  received  by  the  time 
specified  the  responsibility  for  any  inconvenience  to  the  public  that  may  take 
place  will  rest  witli  the  Canadian  Pacific  Railway  Company. 

Yours  vvvy  truly.  .TOIIN  T.  WILSON.  President  B.  R.  T.  of  A. 

The  president  of  the  C.  P.  Ry.  company  made  no  direct    reply  to 


26  THE  CAI.CIUM  LIGHT 

the  above,  but  his  private  secretary  sent  the  following  communication 
ito  the  chairman  of  the  trackmen's  committee: 

Moutrcal,  Que.,  Juue  11,  1901. 
J.  Leunou,  Esq.,  Graud  Union  Hotel,  City. 

Dear  Sir:  The  president  is  in  receipt  of  a  letter  intimating  that  a  com- 
mittee of  the  company's  employes  in  the  maintenance-of-way  department,  Avho 
have  been  in  eomniunication  ^Yith  the  second  vice-president  and  general  man- 
ager about  wages  and  other  matters  without,  apparently,  reaching  a  satisfac- 
torily agreement,  wish  an  interview  with  the  president,  so  that  he  may  consider 
the  committee's  complaints,  and,  presumably,  give  his  assistance  towards  the 
adjustment  of  any  difficulties  that  may  exist. 

I  am  instructed  Ijy  the  president  to  say  that,  in  accordance  with  his  imi- 
form  practice  in  similar  cases,  he  will  be  glad  to  meet  your  eommit'ee  of  em- 
ployes of  the  maintenance-of-way  department  at  his  office  tomorrow  (Wednes- 
day) morning,  at  11  o'clock. 

Unfortunately  his  previous  engagements  Avill  keep  him  occupied  this  after- 
noon. Yours   truly,  JAS.    R.   NELSON,    Secretary. 

The  committee  called  at  the  ofiice  of  the  president  the  next  morn- 
ing (June  12),  as  per  written  request.  After  discussing  the  ques- 
tions at  issue  for  about  an  hour  the  conference  adjourned  with  the 
understanding  that  the  discussion  would  be  resumed  at  three  o'clock 
in  the  afternoon.  A  few  minutes  before  three  o'clock  the  chairman  of 
the  committee  was  called  to  the  telephone  in  the  Grand  Union  Hotel 
and  informed  not  to  come  to  the  president's  office,  but  to  await  the 
receipt  of  a  letter  w'hich  was  then  being  prepared.  The  following  is 
a  copy: 

Montreal,  12th  June,  1901. 
Mr.  J.  Lennon,  Montreal. 

Dear  Sir:  Inasmuch  as  you  and  the  other  employes  of  the"  maintenance- 
of-way  department  did  not  appear  to  liave  full  information  as  to  the  rates  at 
present  in  force  on  the  company's  line,  because  of  the  changes  made  during  the 
past  two  mouths.  I  give  it  to  you  as  follows: 

Effective  the  first  of  May  we  made  advances: 

All  divisions:  10  cents  per  day  to  first  man  in  each  section  gang  Avheu  he 
has  worked  one  year,  continuously,  as  C.  P.  R.  section  man. 

Effective  the  first  of  June,  we  made  still  further  advances: 

ATLANTIC    DIVISION. 

Foremen  in  charge  of  yards  at  McAdam  and  We.st  St.  John,  increased  from  $1.90  to 
$2.00  per  day. 

Second  man  in  each  section  gang  increased,  so  that  he  will  receive  only  five  cents 
per  day  less  than  first  man,  when  he  has  worked  one  year,  continuously  as  C.  P.  R. 
section   man. 

All  section  men  in  main  line  terminal  yards  increased  to  same  rate  as  second  man, 
when    they    have    worked    on(^    year,    continuously,    as   C.    P.    R.    section   men. 

Foremen  of  extra  gangs  will  he  i)aid  from  $2.00  to  $2.50  per  day,  according  to  nature 
of  work   and   number  of  men   in  gang,   as  may   be  decided   l)y   general  superintendent. 


Turned  On  by  a  Railway  Trackman.  27 

eastern  division. 

Foremen    in    i-harsc    of    ynrds    and    torniinals   at 

Mcj.'.inti('     increased  from  $1.90  to  $2.00  per  day. 

SluTlH-ookc  "  "        1.80  to    2.00    " 

Newport  "  "        1.80  to    2.00    "        " 

Riohford    "  "        1.80  to    2.00    "        " 

Farnliani    "  "        2.00  to    2.10    "       " 

Smith's  Falls  "  "        2.00  to    2.10    " 

Montreal    Ter.     (2) "  "        1.80  to    1.90    " 

Ottawa    "  "        2.00  to    2.10    " 

Carleton   Jet "  "       2.00  to    2.10    "       " 

Second  man  in  each  section  gang  increased  so  that  lie  will  receive  only  five  cents 
per  day  less  than  first  man  when  he  has  worked  one  year  continuously  as  C.  P.  R.  sec- 
tion man. 

All  section  men  in  main  line  terminal  yards  to  be  increased  to  same  rate  as  second 
man,   when  they   have  worked   one  year   continuously   as   C.   P.    R.    section   men. 

Foremen  of  extra  gangs  will  he  paid  from  $2.00  to  $2.50  per  day  according  to  nature 
of  work  and  numlier  of  men   in   gang,    as   may   be  decided   by  general  superintendent. 

ONTARIO    DIVISION. 

Foremen  in  charge  of  terminals  at  Toronto  (3)  increased  from  $2.00  to  $2.10  per  day, 
and   at   Havelock   and   Owen   Sound   (2)   increased   from  $1.90  to  $2.00  per  day. 

Second  man  in  each  section  gang  to  be  increased  so  that  he  will  receive  only  five  cents 
per  da.y  less  than  the  flrst  man,  when  he  has  worked  one  .year  continuously  as  C.  P.  R. 
section   man. 

All  section  men  in  main  line  terminal  yards  to  be  increased  to  same  rate  as  second 
man.    when   the.v   have   worked   one   year  continuously   as  C.    P.   R.    section   men. 

Foremen  of  extra  gangs  will  be  paid  from  $2.00  to  $2.50  per  day  according  to  nature 
of  work  and  number  of  men  in  gang,   as  maj-   be  decided   by  general  superintendent. 

LAKE   SUPERIOR    DIVISION. 

Foremen  in  charge  of  terminal  yards  at  Chalk  River,  North  Bay,  Webbwood,  Sault 
Ste.  Marie,  Cartier,  Chapleau,  White  River  and  Schreiber.  increased  from  $2.00  to  $2.10 
per  da.v. 

Second  man  in  eacli  section  increased  so  that  he  will  receive  only  five  cents  per  day 
less  than  first   man  when   he  has  worked   one  .vear  continuousl.v  as  C.  P.  R.  section  man. 

All  section  men  in  main  line  terminal  yards  to  be  increased  to  same  rate  as  second 
man,    when  they   have   worked  one  year  continuously   as   C.    P.   R.   section   men. 

Foremen  of  extra  gangs  will  be  paid  from  $2.00  to  $2.50  per  day  according  to  nature 
of  work  and  number  of  men  in  gang,   as  may   be  decided   by  general  superintendent. 

WESTERN    DIVISION. 

Foremen  in  charge  of  terminal  yards  at  Broadview,  Moosejaw,  Swift  Current,  Medi- 
cine  Hat,    Calgary   and    Laggan,   increased  from  $55.00  to  $60.00  per  month. 

Section  men  from  Cranbrook  to  Crow's  Nest  inclusive:  Leading  man  in  each  section 
gang  to  be  increased  from  $1.35  to  $1.50  per  day. 

Second  and  other  men  in  each  section  gang  to  be  Increased  from  $1.25  to  $1.40  per  day. 

Section  men  on  main  line  and  branches  except  from  Crow's  Nest  to  Kootenay  Land- 
ing: 

Second  man  in  each  section  gang  to  be  increased  so  that  he  will  receive  only  five  cents 
per  day  less  than  the  first  man,  when  ho  has  worked  one  year  continuously  as  C.  P.  R. 
section   man. 

All  section  men  in  main  line  terminal  yards  now  receiving  less  than  $1.40  per  day  to 
be  increased  to  same  rate  as  second  man  when  they  have  worked  one  year  continuously 
as  C.   P.    R.    section   men. 

Foremen  of  extra  gangs  will  be  paid  from  $2.00  to  $3.00  per  day,  according  to  nature 
of  work  and  number  of  men  in  gang,   as  may   bo  decided   by  general   superintendent! 

PACIFIC    DIVISION. 

Foremen  in  charge  of  terminal  yards  at  section  No.  1  out  of  Vancouver,  Revelstoke, 
Roger's  Pass,  Field.  Nakusp,  Rossland,  Nelson.  Sandon,  Three  Forks  to  be  increased 
from  $55.00  to  $00.00  per  mouth. 


28  THE  CALCIUM  LIGHT 

Section  men:  First  man  (white  labor  only)  in  each  gang,  Vancouver  to  Laggan  inclu- 
sive, and  main  line  branches  to  be  increased  from  $1.35  to  $1.40  per  day.  All  other  seC' 
tion   men   (white   labor  only)   in   same   limits  to  be  increased  from  $1.25  to  $1.35  per  day. 

Foremen  of  extra  gangs  will  be  paid  from  $2.00  to  $3.00  per  day,  according  to  nature 
of  worli  and   number  of  men   in  gang,  as  may   be  decided    by  general   superintendent. 

Switch  tenders,  Field  grade,  from  $40.00  to  $45.00  per  mouth. 

Track  and  bridge  watclimen  to  be  advanced  $3.00  per  month,  maximum  $45.00  per 
month. 

Bridgemen   to    receive    uniform   rating    over  division. 

We  have  also  placed  in  effect  the  enclosed  set  of  rules  with  regard  to  the 
service  of  section  foremen  and  section  men.  [This  refers  to  rules  sent  out 
under  date  of  June  7.] 

In  view  of  our  conversation  this  morning,  it  has  been  decided  to  grant 
to  section  foremen  transportation  once  a  year  to  any  point  on  the  Canadian 
Pacific  Railway,  and  similar  transportation  to  section  men  and  others  engaged 
on  maintenance-of-way  work  who  have  been  in  our  service  for  a  period  of 
three  years. 

With  these  advances  and  liberal  rules  I  find  that  our  traclj  forces  are  receiv- 
ing generally  a  higher  rate  of  pay  than  is  in  effect  on  any  other  railway  on  this 
continent.    >  Yours  truly, 

D.  McNICOLL,  Second  Vice-President  and  General  Manager. 

CHAPTER  HI. 

STRIKE  ORDER  ISSUED. 

The  committee  considered  the  foregoing  letter,  in  conjunction  with 
the  reports  which  were  being  received  daily  from  members  relative  to 
the  actions  of  the  minor  officials  along  the  line,  a  refusal  upon  the  part 
of  the  manager  to  recognize  the  committee  as  the  maintenance-of-way 
men's  chosen  representatives  and  a  challenge  from  the  company.  A 
motion  to  order  a  suspension  of  work  was  then  offered,  seconded,  dis- 
cussed at  some  length,  voted  upon  and  carried  unanimously. 

On  June  12  the  following  letter,  before  being  mailed  to  the  mem- 
bers of  the  B.  R.  T.  of  A.,  was  presented  to  the  president  of  the  Brother- 
hood of  Railway  Trackmen,  by  the  committeemen,  for  his  approval: 

Being  unable  to  effect  a  settlement,  according  to  your  expressed  wishes, 
with  the  Canadian  Pacific  Railway  officials,  your  general  grievance  committee, 
as  provided  for  in  the  certificate  of  auUiority,  liereby  orders  a  suspension  of 
work,  to  take  effect  on  Monday, '.Tune  17tli.  1901,  at  6  o'clock  a.  m.,  as  author- 
ized by  section  13.  page  28,  of  the  constitution  of  the  Brotherhood  of  Railway 
Trackmen  of  America. 

All  foremen  in  the  maintenance-of-way  department  will  put  their  cars  and 
all  tools  in  car  houses  and  lock  the  doors,  turning  over  all  keys  belonging  to 
the  company  to  the  nearest  station  agent,  after  taking  their  receipts  for  the 
same.     Then  send  the  following  message  to  their  superior  officers:  — 

Mr 

Myself  and  men  have  suspended  work,   and  will  not  be  responsible  for  the  company's 
property  in  our  charge    after  6  o'clock  a.  m.,  June  17th,   1901. 

(Signed) 


TuRNKD  On  by  a  Railway  Trackman.  29 

This  message  should  be  sent  promptly  at  6  o'clock  a.  m.  on  the  above  date, 
or  as  soou  thereafter  as  received.  No  order  to  resume  work  should  be  taken 
notice  of  unless  it  bears  the  written  signature  of  your  chairman  and  the  im- 
pression of  grand  division  seal  of  the  Brotherhood  of  Railway  Trackmen  of 
America. 

All  bridgemen  receiving  notice  as  above  will  comply  with  same  and  be 
governed  accordingly. 

To  remind  you  of  your  duty  to  your  committee,  we  hereby  reproduce  the 
certificate  of  authority  signed  by  you:  — 

To  Whom   it   May   Concorn: 

Wc,  the  mulersij^nc'd  maiutt'iianre-of-way  (Iciiartmeut  employes  on  the  Cauadiaii  Pacific 
Railway,  hereby  authorize  JIe.s.srs.  J.  Lennou,  F.  Frederick,  R.  C.  Montgomery,  Theo. 
Edmnndson,  E.  E.  Xasou,  J.  B.  Bnuiskill,  Geo.  A.  McTaggart,  J.  W.  Johnson  and  A.  F. 
Stout,  who  constitute  our  general  grievance  committee,  to  confer  with  the  proper  officials 
of  said  Railway  Company,  and  to  enter  into  an  agreement  with  them  concerning  our 
wages,    terms   and    conditions    of    employment,  etc. 

It  is  expressly  understood  that  in  case  the  majority  of  the  maintenauce-of-way  de- 
partment employes  on  the  Canadian  Pacific  Railway  authorize  said  committee  to  enter 
into  an  agre'cment  with  the  C.  P.  Railway  officials  (to  sell  their  labor  for  them),  and  if 
the  officials  of  said  company  decline  to  receive  our  committee  and  to  enter  into  an  agree- 
ment with  it,  similar  to  the  agreements  entered  into  with  other  classes  of  their  em- 
ployes, the  committee,  with  the  sanction  of  the  grand  president  of  the  Brotherhood"  of 
Railway  Trackmen  of  America,  will  have  authority  to  order  a  suspension  of  work,  and 
their   order   will    be   obeyed. 

The  undersigned  hereby  bind  themselves  to  carry  out  in  good  faith  their  part  of  the 
agreement  entered  into  by  the  above   named  committee  with  the  company's  officials. 

(Signed) 

We  have  done  our  duty  as  a  committee,  and  it  now  rests  with  you  to 
perform  your  duty  as  honest  men.  We  will  stay  in  Montreal  until  a  satis- 
factory settlement  has  been  reached. 

JOSEPH    LENNON,   Chairman. 

A.  F.   STOUT,   Secretary. 

R.   C.   MONTGOMERY, 

E.  E.  NASON, 
THEODORE    EDMUNDSON, 

F.  FREDERICK. 

J.   B.    BRUNSKILL, 
GEORGE    McTAGGART, 
J.   W.   JOHNSON, 
Approved  June  13. 

J.  T.  WILSON,  President  of  B.  of  R.  T.  of  A. 

Before  approving  of  tlie  foregoing  order  for  the  maintenance- 
of-way  men  to  suspend  work,  the  president  of  the  B.  R.  T.  of  A.  sent 
the  following  communication  to  the  president  of  the  C.  P.  Ry.  com- 
pany: 

Montreal,  June  13,  190k 
T.  G.  Shaughnessy,  Esq.,  President  C.  P.  Ry.  Company. 

Dear  Sir:  Owing  to  the  manner  in  which  negotiations  have  been  con- 
ducted between  your  subordinate  officials  and  our  committee  representing  your 
maintenance-of-Avay  men,  I  do  not  think  it  possible  for  them  to  make  a  satis- 
factory and  peaceable  settlement. 


30  THE  CAI^CIUM  LIGHT 

I  judge  from  the  reports  received  from  our  committee,  that  the  geutlemeu 
they  have  been  holding  conferences  with  are  experienced  diplomats,  but  it 
seems  they  are  not  broad  enough  to  make  allowance  for  a  committee  of  humble 
workingmen,  Avho  have  had  no  trair.ing  in  such  matters;  in  fact,  if  I  have  been 
correctly  informed,  the  conferences  have  been  conducted  in  such  a  manner  as 
to  arouse  passion  instead  of  appealing  to  reason.  According  to  rumors  which 
seem  to  be  well  authenticated,  the  committee,  and  the  men  they  represent  have 
been  referred  to  by  officials  of  the  company  in  a  very  disrespectful  manner. 
One  official  is  quoted  as  saying:  "Bosh!  Bosh!  the  idea  of  an  ignorant  lot  of 
trackmen  coming  here  and  wanting  to  be  dealt  with  like  skilled  workmen." 
Another  of  your  officials  holding  an  important  position  has  scoffed  at  committees 
representing  other  classes  of  your  employes,  taking  the  position  that  they 
should  be  ashamed  to  ask  for  any  concessions  from  the  company,  and  that 
if  any  class  of  men  in  the  service  of  the  company  shouhl  receive  an  increase  of 
wages  it  should  be  the  poor  trackmen;  "his  heart  went  out  for  them,"  etc.,  but 
when  the  "poor  trackmen's"  committee  appeared  before  him  he  took  the  posi- 
tion that  if  they  would  practice  economy  and  live  right  they  would  have  money 
to  burn  on  $1.15  per  day. 

Other  officials  have  reported  to  the  men  along  the  line  that  their  committee 
(trackmen's)  had  left  Montreal,  were  drunk,  and  did  not  attend  to  business 
while  here,  etc.,  and  that  they  were  "a  set  of  fools." 

Your  general  manager  takes  the  position  that  it  would  be  unjust  to  the 
stockholders  for  him  to  make  a  greater  allowance  for  maintenance-of-way  men. 
Having  studied  the  wage  and  transportation  questions  for  several  years  I  think 
I  can  make  a  suggestion  which,  if  put  into  practice,  Avould  enable  the  company 
to  allow  its  maintenance-of-way  men  all  they  have  asked  for,  and,  at  the  same 
time,  increase  the  dividends.  My  suggestion  is  this:  If  the  company  would 
restrict  the  use  of  free  passes  to  railway  mail  clerks  and  railway  employes 
generally,  and  require  all  who  ride  on  complimentary  passes  to  pay  for  trans- 
portation, the  increase  in  revenue  would  amouur  to  a  great  deal  more  than  the 
increase  in  wages  Avhich  the  mainlenanc«-of-way  men  are  asking  for. 

I  asked  one  of  your  conductors  sometime  ago  how  many  passengers  he  had 
in  the  two  sleeping  cars  attached  to  his  train.  His  answer  was,  "Forty-two." 
I  then  asked  how  many  were  riding  on  complimentary  passes.  He  replied, 
"Twenty-two."  On  another  occasion  six  passengers  and  myself  were  riding 
in  a  first-class  coach,  and  I  asked  the  conductor  how  many  of  us  Avere  paying 
our  fare."  He  replied:  "Yourself  and  one  other."  On  another  occasion  a 
passenger  was  on  board,  traveling  on  a  complimentary  pass  to  Vancouver  and 
return,  who  appreciated  the  favor  to  such  an  extent  that  he  was  swearing  at 
and  damning  the  C.  P.  Ry.  company  on  account  of  its  poor  sleeping  car  facili- 
ties. 

Another  of  your  passenger  train  conductors,  in  answer  to  a  question  pro- 
pounded by  myself,  stated  that  about  half  of  the  people  who  rode  on  the  train 
be  was  in  charge  of,  rode  on  passes  and  that  about  75  per  cent  of  the  passes 
were  complimentary;  the  other  25  per  cent  were  issued  to  employes. 

I  am  also  advised  that  your  manager  retains  in  the  service  of  the  com- 
pany an  army  of  train  auditors  and  private  detectives  at  an  expense  of  several 
thousand  dollars  a  year  to  the  company.  Honest  workingmen  take  offense  at 
being  scrutinized  by  idle  parasites  who  consume  but  do  not   produce   wealth. 


Turned  On  by  a  Raii^way  Trackman.  31 

Such  things  have  a  temleucy  to  prcjudiec  employes  against  tlie  corporation 
they  are  employed  by. 

On  my  arrival  in  Montreal  on  ilie  29tli  of  May  I  stopped  at  the  Grand 
Union  Hotel.  A  rough  looking  character  stopped  at  the  hotel  the  same  day 
and  kept  a  close  watch  on  me  until  I  requested  tlie  clerk  to  give  him  to  under- 
stand that  I  was  not  a  criminal  and  did  not  care  to  have  strangers  following 
me  about  town. 

If  you  desire  to  take  the  matter  up  with  me  for  the  purpose  of  finding 
out  what  is  right  and  proper  under  the  circumstances,  and  effect  a  peaceable 
settlement  with  your  maintenance-of-way  men,  I  will  be  glad  to  begin  negotia- 
tions on  the  following  conditions: 

1.  You  to  concede  that  the  committee,  which  has  been  praitically  ignored 
by  your  subordinate  officials,  are  your  maintenance-of-way  men's  chosen  repre- 
sentatives, with  myself  as  their  spokesmai\ 

2.  That  the  committee  and  the  men  they  represent  should  not  be  humiliated 
and  discouraged  by  the  company  refusing  to  enter  into  an  agreement  with  the 
committee,  setting  forth  the  terms  and  conditions  of  their  employment,  and 
that  the  agreement  be  signed  l)y  the  proper  official  of  the  road. 

3.  Conferences  to  begin  tomorrow  (.June  14)  and  to  continue  daily  there- 
after (Sundays  excepted)   until  we  agree  or  disagree. 

4.  You  to  employ  one  stenographer  competent  to  report  the  proceedings, 
and  the  committee  to  employ  another  equally  competent. 

5.  Our  committee  and  such  other  officials  as  you  desire  to  have  present, 
to  meet  and  participate  in  the  conferences. 

Our  committee  representing  your  maintenance-of-way  men  voted  last  night, 
without  a  dissenting  vote,  to  order  a  suspension  of  woi'k. 

The  matter  is  now  in  my  hands,  and  if  I  am  not  advised  by  j'ou  before 
three  o'clock  this  afternoon  (.June  13)   that  you  will  endeavor  to  effect  a  settle 
meut  along  the  lines  above  indicated,  my  sanction  for  the  committee  to  order 
a  suspension  of  work  will  be  given. 

I  sincerely  hope  that  trouble  can  be  averted,  and  I  certainly  do  not  desire 
to  consent  to  anything  that  might  inconvenience  the  public  or  embarrass  the 
C.  P.  Railway  officials:  but  the  men  I  am  speaking  for  are  as  essential  to  the 
successful  operation  of  railways  as  any  other  class,  and  ai'e  entitled  to  similar 
treatment  from  the  officials  of  the  company.        Y'ours  very  respectfully, 

.JOHN  T.  WILSON.  President  B.  R.  T.  of  A. 

No  reply  was  received  to  the  above  letter. 

The  following  letter,  issued  by  the  C.  P.  Ry.  officials  the  day  be- 
fore the}'  were  notified  that  the  maintenance-of-way  men's  representa- 
tives would  order  a  suspension  of  work,  proves  that  the  officials  did 
not  intend  to  recognize  the  committee  nor  to  make  an  amicable  settle- 
ment : 

CANADIAN  PACIFIC  RAILWAY  COMPANY.  ^ 

North  Bay.  13th  .June,  1901. 
To  Maintenance-of-Way  Employes.  Canadian  Pacific  Railway: 

A  committee,  claiming  to  represent  a  large  number  of  our  maint(>nance-of- 
way  employes,  had  a  meeting  with  our  manngenient  at  Monti-i-al  in  April  last. 
They  submitted  a  memo  of  what  they  claimed  to  be  grii'vances,  and  were  told 


32  THE  CALCIUM  LIGHT 

as  it  would  take  some  weeks  to  iuvestigale  sjime,  free  transportation  would 
be  given  them  to  return  to  their  homes,  and  a  promise  was  made  then  that  by 
the  end  of  May   they  would  be  recalled  to  Montreal  for  conference. 

They  were  recalled  to  Montreal  on  the  30th  of  ^lay.  when  the  question  of 
pay  and  conditions  of  maintenance-of-way  employes  were  fully  discussed  with 
them.  It  was  pointed  out  that  the  Canadian  Pacitic  Railway  Company  had 
made  extensive  enquiry  and  found  they  were  then  paying  as  much,  and  in 
many  cases  more  than  was  paid  by  other  railways,  and  that  the  conditions  of 
section  men  on  the  whole  were  very  much  better  on  the  Canadian  Pacific  Rail- 
way than  elsewhere. 

The  committee  were  also  advised  that  the  company,  desiring  to  see  their 
employes  satisfied,  had  made  many  increases  dating  from  1st  May  and  1st 
.June,  benefitting  especially  those  who  had  been  in  our  service  for  some  time, 
which  increases  amounted  on  the  whole  to  about  one  hundred  thousand  dollars 
per  annum. 

A  memo  of  rules  dated  7th  June,  governing  the  service  of  section  foremen 
and  section  men,  was  also  issued  by  the  company,  and  since  then  has  been 
added  to.  the  company  in  addition  agreeing  to  give  section  foremen  transporta- 
tion once  a  year  over  any  part  of  its  line,  and  similar  transportation  to  other 
maintenance-of-way  employes  who  have  been  in  the  service  for  three  years  or 
more. 

The  committee  have  been  received  throughout  the  conference  in  the  most 
frank  and  kindly  manner,  and  were  afforded  every  opportunity  to  give  reasons 
why  their  demands  should  be  complied  with,  but  have  failed  to  give  any  sound 
reason. 

While  we  know  that  many  of  the  employes  on  maintenance-of-way  are 
satisfied  with  their  pay  and  conditions,  and  are  not  represented  by  the  com- 
mittee, having  been  so  advised  by  them,  we  feel  that  others  whom  the  com- 
mittee claim  to  represent  should  known  the  true  state  of  affairs,  and  we  hope 
that  neither  the  committee  nor  any  large  number  of  our  employes  who  have 
been  in  the  company's  sei-vice  for  years,  and  In  whose  welfare  the  company 
and  its  officers  are  sincerely  interested,  will  be  guided  by  hasty  and  reckless 
advice.  T.    WILLIAMS. 

General  Superintendent,  Lake  Superior  Division. 

At  3  p.  m.  tbe  order  for  the  maintenance-of-way  men  to  suspend 

work  on  the  C.  P.  Ry.  system  was  approved  by  the  president  of  the 

B.  R  .T.  of  A.,  and  a  copy  of  same  was  then  mailed  to  each  member  of 

the  order  on  the  system.     The  following  official  notice  (with  copy  of 

strike  order  enclosed),  was  sent  to  the  president  of  the  C.   P.   Ry. 

company: 

Montreal.  .Tune  14.  1901. 

T.  G.  Shaughuessy.  Esq..  President  Canadian  Pacific  Railway  Company. 

Dear  Sir:  You  will  find  enclosed  a  copy  of  an  order  issued  by  our  com- 
mittee who  are  representing  your  maintenance-of-way  department  employes, 
for  them  to  suspend  work  at  6  o'clock  a.  m..  Monday.  .Tune  17th. 

Our  committee  issued  a  notice  of  the  suspension  of  work  which  is  to  take 
place,  to  the  public  this  a.  m.  Reporters  from  all  of  the  afternoon  papers 
called  at  our  committee  room  and  received  copies  of  same,  and  I  presume  this 
notice  will  appear  in  each  of  the  Montreal  afternoon  papers. 


Turned  On  by  a  Railway  Trackrlan.  S3 

Altbougli  you  did  not  cousider  my  communication  of  yesterday  of  any 
significance,  1  feel  constrained  to  advise  you  tliat  an  industrial  upheaval  of 
no  small  magnitude  is  liable  to  take  place  during  tlie  next  few  days  unless  men 
of  your  station  and  iutluence  malve  efforts  along  prudent  and  practical  lines 
to  avert  it.  There  is  a  strong  suspicion  in  the  minds  of  men  who  are  con- 
ducting the  affairs  of  industrial  organizations  that  the  members  of  the  Rail- 
way Managers'  Association  have  entered  into  an  agreement  to  make  war  on 
industrial  organizations,  more  especially  those  composed  of  railway  employes. 

a  .tf  *  r 

I  do  not  claim  perfection  for  trade  unions.  They  are  human  institutions 
and  their  otticers  and  members  often  make  mistakes,  but  they  have  been  formed 
for  the  purpose  of  coping  with  organized  greed,  and  for  the  mutual  welfare  of 
participants,  while,  in  my  judgment,  tlie  (ieneral  Managers'  Association  has 
been  formed  for  the  pu-rpose  of  oppressing  the  oppressed.     *     *     *     * 

Your  maintenance-of-way  juen  are  well  organized  and  are  very  deter- 
mined.    *     *     *     * 

I  maintain  tlie  public  have  rights  in  these  matters  that  should  l»e  con- 
sidered, and  am  anxious  to  co-operate  with  those  who  desire  to  prevent  indus- 
trial disturbances  and  to  keep  the  wlieels  of  industry  moving.  When  the  pur- 
<:hasiug  power  of  a  wage-earner's  dollar  is  decreased  so  that  it  will  take  100) 
cents  to  purchase  what  80  cents  would  purchase  two  years  ago,  the  working- 
man  must  have  a  corresponding  increase  in  his  wages,  or  adjust  himself  to  a 
lower  standard  of  living — one  of  the  two.  Yours  respectfully, 

JOHN  T.  AVILSON,  President  B.  R.  T.  of  A. 

June  1-1  the  following  "Notice  to  the  Public"  was  issued  by  the 
committee: 

NOTICE  TO  THE  PUBLIC: 

We,  the  committee  repi-esenting  the  maintenance-of-way  department  em- 
ployes on  the  Canadian  Pacific  Railway,  have  been  trying  to  effect  an  amicable 
adjustment  of  the  men's  dift'erences  with  the  C.  P.  Ry.  officials  for  the  last 
tAvo  months.  l)ut  to  our  sorrow  and  disappointment  we  find  it  impossible  to 
make  any  kind  of  a  settlement  with  the  company. 

We  hold  written  instructions  from  at  least  ninety-five  per  cent  of  the 
regular  men  employed  in  the  niaintenauce-of-way  department  to  secure  an 
agreement  setting  forth  the  terms  and  conditions  of  their  employment,  or  to 
order  a  suspension  of  work.  After  exhausting  every  means  known  to  us  to 
bring  about  a  satisfactory  settlement  we  decided  to  order  a  suspension  of 
work.     *     *     *     * 

In  consideration,  however,  of  the  rights  and  safety  of  the  traveling  public, 
we  decided  that  the  strike  sliouid  not  become  effective  until  6  o'clock  a.  m.  on 
the  morning  of  June  17.  The  general  manager  contends  that  he  has  offered 
to  make  liberal  concessions  to  the  men  we  reprt^ent.  and  that  if  we  wer^ 
reasonable  men  we  would  accept  and  be  satisfied  with  the  new  rules  adopted 
by  the  company  for  the  government  of  our  craft. 

The  following  letter  received  by  our  president  from  one  of  the  section  men 
explains  tlie  manner  in  which  the  men  are  receiving  what  the  general  manager 
calls  "liberal  concessions": 


34  THE  CALCIUM  LIGHT 

Dear  Sir  and  Brother.— I  wish  you  to  bring  before  our  committee  at  the  Grand  Union 
Hotel,  Montreal,  the  following  facts,  which  I  hope  will  give  them  an  idea  of  the  kind 
of  officials  they  have  to  deal  with,  and  also  to  show  how  those  same  officials  are  doing 
(as  they  say)  all  they  can  for  us.  I  am  one  of  these  flve-ceut  men  (as  we  boys  call  it); 
that  is,  the  great  C.  P.  R.  company  has  condescended  to  advance  my  wages  the  whole 
of  five  cents  a  day.  Just  as  I  was  congratulating  myself  on  the  advance  in  wages  1 
received  notice  that  after  a  certain  date  tracli-walkers  on  Sunday  would  only  be  al- 
lowed one-half  day's  pay  for  their  services,  where  formerly  we  received  a  day's  pay.  As 
we  are  such  an  ignorant  class  of  men,  it  took  me  some  little  time  to  figure  out  "where . 
I  was  at,"  but  I  found  the  result  as  follows:  Decrease  in  wages  through  track-walking  be- 
ing cut  down,  571/2  cents;  increase  in  wages,  six  days  at  five  cents  per  day,  30  cents; 
balance  in  favor  o^"  C.  P.  K.  company,  per  week,  'ZlVz  cents.  Now,  sir,  does  the  ('.  P.  K. 
company  think  for  a  moment  that  we  are  to  be  gulled  that  way'/  Every  man  in  this 
part  of  the  country  is  up  in  arms  at  such  a  low  ])iece  of  trickery.  It  surely  must  be 
the  same  official  who,  it  is  said,  concocted  the  scheme  that  beat  each  one  of  the  trainmen 
out  of  two  or  three  dollars  a  month,  and  received  as  a  reward  one  thousand  per  annum 
increase  in  his  own  salary.  Of  course,  we  know  it  is  not  supposed  to  be  a  very  hard  job 
to  fool  the  ordinary  trackman,  but  we  object  to  being  "done  up"  that  way,  and  if  our 
committee  cannot  mako  a  fair  and  reasonal)le  settlement  with  the  company,  we  are 
prepared   to    fight    the   matter    to   the    bitter  end. 

(Signed) 

All  members  of  the  B.  R.  T.  of  A.,  are  earnestly  requested  to  refrain  from 
saying  or  doing  anything  that  would  reflect  discredit  upon  theta,  or  cause  the 
honest  thinking  people  of  Canada  to  withliold  their  support  while  we  are  strug- 
gling with  a  giant  corporation  to  secure  a  just  share  of  the  wealth  we  help 
to  create. 

J.    LENNOX,    Chairman. 

A.  F.   STOUT.    Secretary. 

CHAPTER  IV. 

THE  STRUGGLE  BEGINS. 

On  June  17  telegraphic  reports  indicated  that,  with  few  excep- 
tions, the  maintenance-of-way  men  on  about  l(l,()()()  miles  of  railroad 
had  simultaneouslv  suspended  work — an  unheard  of  occurrence  in  the 
history  of  railroading. 

To  give  a  complete  record  of  all  that  took  place  in  connection  with 
the  strike,  from  June  17  to  August  30  (the  day  upon  which  the  agree- 
ment was  reached  with  the  company),  would  require  more  space  than 
we  have  at  our  disposal;  therefore  we  shall  only  consider  the  most  im- 
portant features. 

The  officials  of  the  company  took  the  position  that  the  mainte- 
nance-of-way men  on  the  C.  P.  Ry.  system  were  as  well  treated  as  the 
same  class  of  men  on  any  other  railway  on  the  continent. 

On  June  18  the  comjiany's  statement,  according  to  local  news- 
paper reports,  was  to  the  effect  that  not  more  than  ten  per  cent  of  the 
men  liad  responded  to  tfie  order  to  quit  work,  and  the  strike  had  al- 
ready "fizzled  out.'' 

On  the  evening  of  June  19  I  addressed  a  public  meeting  in  the  in- 
terests of  the  sti-iking  trackmen  in  Forum  Hall,  Toronto,  Out.  Ac- 
cording to  newspaper  reports,  after  1  had  left  the  hall  to  take  a  train 


Turned  On  by  a  Railway  Trackman.  35 

for  Montreal,  Mr.  Armstrong-,  a  former  president  of  the  Tjpugraphital 
Union,  severely  criticised  the  striking  trackmen  on  the  C.  P.  R3'.  sys- 
tem for  making  efforts  to  bring  about  improved  conditions  for  them- 
selves and  families,  taking  the  position  that  trackmen  on  other  roads 
were  receiving  less  wages  than  the  C.  P.  Ry.  company  was  paying. 

The  following  explains  the  trackmen's  position,  and  is  a  refutation 
of  newspaper  statements : 

Montreal,  Juiu'  21.  1901. 

TO  THE  PTTBLIC:  We,  the  chosen  i-epresentatives  of  the  uiaintenance-of- 
way  department  employes  on  the  Ca.taa<i:;ii)  Pacific  Railway,  desire  to  refnte 
statement.'?  which  have  appeai-ed  in  var.ons  newspapers  concerning  the  strike 
situation  on  the  C.  P.  Railway,  and  to  advise  the  public  of  the  true  state  of 
affairs. 

Reports  to  the  effect  that  the  men  are  returning  to  work  in  various  locali- 
ties are  denied  by  local  representatives  of  the  trackmen's  organization,  who 
have  been  instructed  to  keep  the  committee  advised  of  the  true  state  of  affairs 
in  their  respective  localities. 

We  wired  the  local  representative  at  Owen  Somid  to  know  if  the  report 
to  the  effect  that  the  men  between  Owen  Sound  and  Toronto  were  at  work, 
was  true.     The  reply  came  l>ack: 

THE  MEN  ALL  OUT  AND  WILL  STAY  OUT  UNTIL  TOLD  BY  COMMITTEi:  TO 
RETURN. 

A  similar  message  was  sent  to  AViunipeg.     The  reply  was: 
ALL  OUT  TO   STAY. 

The  report  that  the  men  have  all  returned  to  work  on  the  C.  P.  IJailway  in 
the  State  of  Maine  is  I'efuted  by  the  local  representative  from  Presque  Lsle,  as 
the  following  message  will  show: 

THEY  SAY  IX  THE  PAPERS  THAT  THE  MEN  HAVE  GONE  BACK  TO  WORK. 
THIS  IS  NOT  TRUE.  NOT  ONE  OF  THEM  HAS  GONE  BACK.  ALL  ARE  OUT  TO 
STAY. 

Similar  reports  have  been  received  from  various  parts  of  the  entire  system. 
Any  citizen  who  would  not  use  the  names  of  the  parties  making  reports  for 
blacklisting  purposes  is  at  liberty  to  call  at  our  committee  room  for  tlie  pur- 
pose of  convincing  himself  whether  or  not  our  statements  are  correct. 

A  commercial  traveler  called  at  the  committee  room  and  said  he  wanted 
to  go  to  Manitoba,  and  desired  to  go  via  the  C.  P.  Railway.  He  called  at  the 
office  of  the  company  and  was  told  the  strike  was  over,  al)out  all  of  the  men 
had  resumed  work,  etc.  He  doubted  the  truthfulness  of  the  statement,  came 
to  the  committee  room,  and  requested  us  to  advise  him  of  the  true  state  of 
affairs.  We  exhibi+ed  messages  received  from  local  agents  at  various  places. 
After  inspecting  them  he  remarked:  "The  C.  P.  Railway  officials  are  criminal 
liars.  I  have  a  wife  and  children  to  live  for  and  will  go  to  Manitoba  over 
some  other  road." 

There  seems  to  be  a  disposition  on  the  part  of  certain  individuals  to  lead  the 
public  mind  away  from  the  principles  involved  in  the  contest  between  ttie 
C.  P.  Railway  company  and  its  maintenance-of-way  men.  Were  it  possible, 
they  would  divert  the  minds  of  the  public  and  persuade  them  to  believe  the 
contest  is  between  the  company  and  the  president  of  flic  P>.  It.  T.  of  .V.  Such 
is  not  the  case.     If  we  lose  in  the  contest  it  means  more  [xiverty,  more  misery 


36  THE  CALCIUM  LIGHT 

and  suffering  for  the  maintenance-of-way  men  and  their  families;  if  we  secure 
a  fair  settlement  it  means  more  of  the  necessaries  of  life  for  ourselves  and 
families. 

The  president  of  our  organization  is  a  hired  man.  He  came  here  in  obedi- 
ence to  our  command.  We  help  to  pay  his  salary.  AA'e  certainly  have  as  much 
right  to  associate  ourselves  together  in  an  industrial  organization  and  employ 
a  president  to  look  after  our  interests,  as  the  stockholders  of  the  C.  P.  Railway 
company  or  any  other  organization  have  to  combine  their  capital  and  employ 
a  president  to  look  after  their  interests. 

The  •"Gazette"  this  morning  makes  a  very  poor  argument  in  behalf  of  the 
company,  under  the  caption  "Lack  of  Sympathy  Worries  Strikers."  We  be- 
lieve we  have  the  sympathies  of  all  intelligent,  honest,  justice  and  peace-loving 
citizens,  who  are  familiar  with  the  questions  at  issue.  We  have  requested  the 
officials  of  the  C.  P.  Railway  company,  in  an  humble  and  most  respectful  man- 
ner, to  concede  to  us  the  right  to  have  a  word  to  say  about  the  terms  and 
conditions  of  our  employment.  We  have  been  scoffed  at,  ignored,  and  our 
actions  have  been  misrepresented  by  the  C.  P.  Railway  officials  to  our  constitu- 
ents.— a  poor  class  of  men  who  are  eking  out  a  miserable  existence  and  are 
struggling  for  relief. 

It  is  also  stated  in  tlie  "Gazette"  that  a  Mr.  Armstrong  found  fault  with 
the  position  taken  by  our  president  at  a  meeting  held  in  Toronto  on  the  19tli 
inst.  Our  president  says  there  is  no  truth  in  this  statement.  If  Mr.  Armstrong 
made  an  argument  in  favor  of  the  company  it  was  after  he  left  the  meeting 
place.  If  Mr.  Armstrong  has  been  correctly  reported,  he  must  be  a  tool,  a 
hireling,  and  would  stab  labor  in  the  back  in  the  absence  of  its  defenders. 

The  position  taken  by  the  company  and  those  who  uphold  it  in  refusing 
to  pay  its  maintenance-of-way  men  living  wages  because  the  Grand  Trunk 
and  other  railways  are  withholding  from  their  maintenance-of-Avay  men  a  just 
share  of  the  wealth  they  help  to  create  has  no  weight  with  intelligent  people. 
Wages  are  not  regidated  by  justice;  they  are  regulated  by  the  power  of  indus- 
trial organization  to  force  them  up.  The  I.  T.  U..  of  which  Mr.  Armstrong  is 
a  member,  it  is  said,  does  not  maintain  a  uniform  scale  of  wages.  The  printers 
in  IMontreal.  members  of  the  I.  T.  U..  struck  for  $11.00  a  week  a  short  time 
ago.  and.  we  have  been  informed,  won  their  strike.  Printers  in  other  towns, 
members  of  the  same  organization,  very  recently  demanded  a  minimum  scale 
of  $18.00  per  week,  and  a  nine-hour  work  day.  Their  demands  were  conceded 
by  their  employers,  not  because  they  loved  their  employes  and  did  business 
from  a  standpoint  of  justice,  but  because  they  did  not  feel  disposed  to  enter 
into  a  contest  with  the  printer's  union. 

If  maintenauce-of-way  men  on  other  roads  in  Canada  are  members  of  the 
B.  R.  T.  of  A.  we  are  not  aware  of  it.  We  are  endeavoring  to  fight  our  own 
battles  on  the  C.  P.  Railway  with  the  only  means  at  our  command — organiza- 
tion. If  labor  organizations  must  confine  their  operations  to  localities  where 
wages  are  lowest,  all  advocates  of  high  wages  and  a  higher  standard  of  living 
should  leave  this  and  other  civilized  countries  and  confine  their  operations 
to  heathenized  China  where  workingmen  are  paid  from  four  to  seven  cents 
per  day. 

.TOS.   LENNOX,   Chairman, 
A.  F.  STOUT,  Secretary. 


Turned  On  by  a  Railway  Trackman.  37 

Juue  20  the  following;  letter  was  mailed  to  each  member  of  the  U. 
R.  T.  of  A.  ou  the  C.  P.  Ry.  system: 

Reports  received  up  to  date  indicate  tbat  at  least  ninety-five  per  cent  of 
tlie  mainteuance-of-wny  men  on  the  Canadian  Pacific  Railway  system  have 
suspended  work. 

The  company  is  sending  out  circular  letters  and  well  paid  agents  over  the 
road,  trying  to  induce  the  men  to  resume  worlc.  They  claim  to  have  made 
liberal  offers  to  the  committee.  Such  is  not  the  case.  The  company  positively 
refused  to  enter  into  any  agreement  with  your  committee.  The  so-called  -liberal 
increase  in  wages"  and  "rules"  were  not  even  presented  to  your  committee 
for  approval,  by  the  company,  until  they  had  been  distributed  by  officials 
who  told  the  men  in  many  cases  that  your  committee  had  gone  home. 

You  sent  us  to  Montreal  to  secure  an  agreement  setting  forth  the  terms 
and  conditions  of  your  employment,  and  we  are  going  to  remain  here  until 
you  compel  the  company  to  treat  us  with  as  much  consideration  as  it  treats 
all  other  classes  of  its  employes. 

In  undertaking  to  put  ourselves  on  an  equality  with  other  classes  of  rail- 
w-ay  employes  we  are  doing  right.  Stand  firm!  Be  true  to  your  own  interests; 
and  the  members  of  other  organizations,  the  oflicials  of  the  C.  P.  liailway 
company,  and  the  public  Avill  respect  us.  But  if  you  heed  the  advice  of  the 
officials  and  well  paid  agents  sent  along  the  line  to  try  and  persuade  you  to 
return  to  work,  they  will  say  in  the  future  what  has  been  said  in  the  past, 
"Trackmen  are  a  set  of  fools  and  have  not  got  enough  sand  to  quit  work  and 
stay  out  until  they  are  recognized  and  dealt  with  in  the  same  manner  as  other 
classes  of  railway  employes." 

The  officials  are  trying  to  sustain  themselves  in  the  position  taken,  by 
stating  to  the  public  that  they  are  paying  trackmen  more  wages  than  is  being 
paid  by  other  roads  in  Canada.  We  admit  they  are;  they  also  pay  the  C.  P. 
officials  and  other  classes  of  employes  more  than  is  paid  on  other  roads.  Italians 
receive  more  wages  than  Chinamen, — neither  are  making  progress.  We  must 
go  forward  and  not  backward.  We  are  Canadians  and  Americans  and  do  not 
propose  to  adopt  a  lower  standard  of  living. 

The  maintenance-of-way  men  are  not  receiving  a  just  share  of  the  wealth 
created  on  any  of  the  roads;  our  craft  is  being  wronged  by  all  companies.  The 
injustice  differs  only  in  degree. 

On  account  of  the  rise  in  prices  other  employers  have  increased  the  wages 
of  employes.  The  purchasing  power  of  our  wage  has  decreased  20  per  cent  in 
the  last  two  years;  the  company  is  making  money;  times  are  prosperous.  We 
should  not  be  compelled  to  stint  our  families  and  reduce  our  standard  of  living 
one-fifth,  because  times  are  prosperous. 

Explain  these  matters  to  your  friends,  and.  if  necessary,  the  good  people  of 
Canada  will  aid  us  in  our  struggle.  Stand  firm  and  we  will  win.  because  our 
position  is  right,  and  right  should  prevail.        Yours  in  B.  L.  and  U.,  '^ 

JOSEPH  LENNOX.   Chairman. 

A.  F.  STOUT.  Secretary. 

On  the  same  day  the  following  messap:e  was  sent  to  all  strikers 
by  the  president  of  the  C.  P.  Ry.  company: 


38  THE  CALCIUM  LIGHT 

TO  ALL  MAINTENANCE-OF-WAY  MEN  AVIIO  ARE  AT  WORK,  OU  WHO 
HAVE   SUSPENDED   WORK: 

I  have  seen  the  circiUar  issued  by  the  operating  officers  to  the  traclimen 
tliis  afternoon,  and.  tlierefore.  feel  it  a  iluty  to  urge  the  men.  many  of  whom 
nave  been  in  the  company's  service  for  several  years,  to  consider  the  situation 
earefullj'  before  finally  abandoning  their  occupations.  The  committee  had  an 
interview  with  me.  at  which  I  heard  and  gave  the  gravest  attention  to  every- 
thing advanced,  in  the  interest  of  their  fcUow-wurkmeu. 

Had  there  been  the  slightest  warrant  for  concessions  beyond  those  already 
made  by  the  company's  officers,  matters  would  not  have  been  permitted  to 
reach  an  acute  stage.  The  men  charged  Avith  the  administration  of  the  com- 
pany's affairs  are  justified  in  according  to  employes  the  highest  pay  prevailing 
on  neighboring  railways  and  the  greatest  consideration  in  other  respects  that 
circumstances  will  permit.  If  they  go  beyond  this,  they  are  open  to  the  accusa- 
tion of  incompetency  or  extravagance.  The  company  has  no  quarrel  with  the 
men  In  the  maintenance-of-way  department.  There  is  no  desire  to  show  resent- 
ment becatise  of  what  has  occurred.  On  the  contrary,  it  is  hoped  that,  having 
given  the  committee  all  promised  support,  every  man  will  return  to  his  work 
promptly,  so  as  to  obtain  the  advantage  of  the  concessions,  representing  a  very 
large  annual  sum  that  the  company  felt  justified  in  making,  and  to  give  to  the 
company  and  its  officers  the  same  loyal  service  and  support  that  have  charac- 
terized every  branch  of  the  service  from  the  beginning. 

In  dealing  with  your  committee,  the  company  was  not  governed  by  petty 
or  technical  considerations.  From  the  time  that  the  discussion  commenced 
the  only  question  was  as  to  what  could  properly  be  done  in  the  direction  of 
meeting  you.  and  as  soon  as  this  was  determined  it  was  put  into  effect  imme- 
diately. 

The  moderation  and  good  sense  that  you  have  displayed  on  nearly  every 
section  of  the  system  since  the  trouble  commenced  yesterday  morning  bear 
testimony  to  your  worth  as  employes  and  make  the  company  the  more  anxious 
to  retain  yotir  services,  if  at  all  possible. 

Apart  from  every  official  consideration,  I  would  be  sincerely  sorry  if  any 
of  our  old  employes  should  leave  us  to  accept  other  service  without  the  cer- 
tainty of  improving  their  positions.  T.  G.  SHAUGHNESSY. 

June  25  the  following  letter  was  mailed  to  each  member  of  the 
B.  K.  T.  of  A.  on  the  C.  P.  Ry.  svstem : 

One  week  has  elapsed  since  you  suspended  work.  Although  the  officials 
have  been  making  strentiotis  efforts  to  induce  the  men  to  return  to  work,  but 
one  man.  so  far  as  we  have  been  advised,  has  perjtired  himself. 

Quite  a  nmnber  of  those  who  did  not  suspend  work  on  the  17th  inst..  owing 
either  to  the  fact  that  they  had  not  received  notice  to  suspend  work,  or  were 
not  members  of  our  order,  have  since  quit  work  and  informed  the  committee 
that  they  will  not  return  until  a  fair  settlement  is  reached. 

Tell  those  who  attempt  to  persuade  you  to  desert  our  cause,  degrade  your- 
selves, and  remain  in  a  subservient  position,  that  you  have  placed  the  whole 
matter  in  the  hands  of  your  committee  at  Montreal,  and  they  have  full  author- 
ity to  act  for  you.  If  you  allow  yourselves  to  be  persuaded  by  promises  of 
promotion,  increased  wages,  or  by  threats  of  eviction  from  the  companj''s  houses 
if  you  do  not  return  to  work  within  a  certain  time,  tlie  well-paid  officials  of 
the  company,  members  of  other  organizations  and  the  public  generally  will 
Jose  all  respect  for  our  craft. 


Turned  On  by  a  Railway  Trackman.  39 

Do  uot  be  iuflueneed  by  newspaper  reports  or  false  rumors.  Accordiuj; 
to  newspaper  reports  autl  statements  made  by  officials,  a  large  number  of  llie 
men  returned  lo  work  at  various  points  last  weeii.  We  wired  our  local  agents 
at  these  places  to  know  if  the  reports  were  true.  The  same  answer  was  re- 
ceived from  each  place:  "All  men  out  and  will  stay  out  uutil  a  satisfactory 
settlement  is  reached." 

The  compauy.  with  tlie  aid  of  some  of  their  official  organs  (the  newspapers), 
are  trying  to  make  it  appear  to  Ihe  public  that  it  is  unreasonable  for  us  to 
contend  for  a  just  share  of  the  wealth  we  create,  because  Ave  are  not  being 
deprived  of  our  just  rights  to  the  same  extent  as  maiutenance-of-way  men  on 
other  roads. 

Tell  your  friends  and  sympathizers  that  the  contest  is  between  the  mainte- 
nauce-of-way  men  and  the  C.  P.  Railway  company,  and  not,  as  the  company 
would  have  them  believe,  between  our  organization  and  the  company. 

Men  have  been  hired  to  take  our  places  and  shipjDed  to  points  where  they 
cannot  obtain  employment,  except  from  the  company,  but  when  informed  of 
the  true  state  of  affairs,  refused  to  go  to  worlv.  Some  of  these  men  have  been 
shipped  to  places  where  they  can  find  employment,  and  others  are  being  supplied 
with  food  at  the  expense  of  members  of  local  divisions.  The  Grand  Division 
is  furnishing  all  funds  necessary  to  be  used  in  prosecuting  the  strike.  Our 
Canadian  Pacific  system  division  will  be  required  to  defray  some  expenses 
which  are  necessary,  but  not  provided  for  in  the  laws  of  our  organization,  and 
as  we  do  not  know  how  long  the  contest  will  contintie.  we  would  suggest  that 
all  concerned  vx'ould  accept  such  contributions  as  friends  and  sympathizers  may 
desire  to  give.  If  the  money  collected  is  required  for  local  purposes,  it  should 
be  used  to  the  best  advantage.  If  you  receive  more  than  is  necessary  for  local 
requirements,  send  it  to  the  secretary  of  yotir  committee,  ^Ir.  A.  F.  Stout,  in 
each  case  giving  the  name  of  the  contributor,  and  the  amount,  as  we  desire  to 
place  on  record  a  list  showing  who  otir  friends  are. 

The  Canadian  Pacific  Railway  company  may  prefer  to  pay  men  $5.00  a 
day  for  a  few  months  to  fill  our  places,  rather  than  concede  that  we  have  the 
right  to  have  anything  to  say  about  the  terms  and  conditions  of  our  employ- 
ment, after  which  time,  if  they  are  successful  in  breaking  up  our  organization, 
they  will  be  in  a  position  once  more  to  regulate  wages  to  suit  themselves  in  the 
future,  as  they  have  been  doing  in  the  past. 

We  are  informed  that  three  foremen  on  one  division  were  furnished  with 
passes  and  requested  to  visit  the  superintendent's  office  in  Montreal  last  Sat- 
urday. While  we  are  not  in  a  position  to  say  what  indticements  were  offered, 
we  believe  strenuous  efforts  were  made  to  infiuence  the  men  to  return  to  work, 
and  cause  a  break  in  our  imbroken  hne  on  said  superintendent's  division.  All 
loyal  members  of  the  organization  should  refuse  to  discuss  the  questions  at 
issue  with  railway  officials.  Men  who  do  not  desire  to  be  bribed  should  steer 
clear  of  possible  "bribe-givers."  Christ  was  betrayed  by  a  Judas,  and  we 
expect  a  few  traitors  will  be  foimd  in  our  ranks.  Beware  of  men  who  ^Isit 
officials  of  the  company  dtiring  the  present  crisis.  All  nianl,.v  men  despise 
traitors,  and  admire  men,  as  the  following  instance  will  show:  One  of  the 
officials  said  to  one  of  our  brothers  the  other  day:  "You  had  better  return  to 
work."  He  replied:  "Our  committee  is  in  front  of  this  battle  aud  I  will  stand 
by  it  until  H freezes  over."    The  official  remarked:      "You  are  all  right. 


40  THE  CALCIUM  LIGHT 

It  makes  no  difference  bow  this  difficulty  terminates,  you  will  have  employ- 
jnent." 

We  believe  the  company  will  realize  the  folly  of  continuing  this  contest 
in  a  few  days,  and  that  a  satisfactorj-  settlement  will  be  reached,  but,  at  the 
same  time,  we  must  be  prepared  to  continue  the  struggle  for  six  weeks,  six 
months,  or  a  year,  if  necessary.  We  have  too  much  at  stalie  in  this  contest 
to  lose.     We  cannot  afford  it.     We  must  win.        Yours  in  B.  L.  &  U., 

JOSEPH  LENNON,  Chairman. 

A.  F.  STOUT,  Secretary. 

The  newspapers  published  numerous  reports  given  out  bj^  the  offi- 
cials to  the  effect  that  the  men  were  falling  over  each  other  in  their 
efforts  to  get  back  into  their  old  places.     Here  is  a  sample: 

Montreal,  .Tune  25th. — The  Canadian  Pacific  Railway  company  gives  out 
the  following  tonight:  So  little  is  now  thought  of  the  trackmen's  strike  on  the 
C.  P.  R.  that  the  papers  here  scarcely  refer  to  it.  The  general  feeling  is  that 
the  company  is  in  the  right  this  time,  and  that  the  strikers  are  following  old 
Kruger's  plan  of  keeping  up  a  useless  fight,  injuring  themselves  far  more 
than  the  company.  The  lack  of  sympathy  with  the  strikers  shown  by  the 
Toronto  labor  unions  is  also  apparent  here,  and  it  now  seems  to  be  more  a 
matter  of  personal  prestige  for  John  T.  AYilson.  It  has  been  admitted  on  all 
sides  that  a  bad  blunder  has  been  m^de  in  attacking  a  company  that  is  known 
to  treat  its  employes  better  than  any  of  its  neighbors,  or  even  than  the  govern- 
ment itself  does. 

Inquiry  at  the  Canadian  Pacific  headquarters  confirms  the  report  that  many 
more  foremen  have  returned  to  work  today.  The  men  have  got  tired  of  the 
strike,  and  one  man  returning  brings  more  with  him.  It  has  been  a  case  of 
not  wanting  to  be  the  first  to  return.  "The  best  day  yet,"  Mr.  McNicoU  re- 
marked. 

Here  is  another  criticism: 
"President  Wilson,  the  American,  know'S  right  well  that,  contrasted  with 
the  great  American  railway  systems,  the  C.  P.  R.  trackmen  are  the  better  paid 
men.  He  declines  to  discuss  that  fact,  which  is  so  much  to  the  credit  of  the 
Canadian  and  so  much  to  the  discredit  of  the  American  railway  systems.  This 
transcendaut  gentleman,  not  being  a  British  subject,  comes  into  British  terri- 
tory, and  gratuitously  tells  British  subjects  who  follow  the  occupation  of  rail- 
way trackmen  on  the  C.  P.  Ry.  that  they  should  stop  work  until  it  is  settled 
that  the  C.  P.  Ry  is  paying  its  men  a  "fair  share  of  the  wealth  they  are  helping 
to  create."  He  does  not  deny  that  the  C.  P.  Ry.  is  giving  a  larger  share  of 
that  wealth  than  is  given  l)y  the  great  coi*porate  railway  systems  in  the  United 
States.  Mr.  Wilson  is  willing  that  the  American  trackmen  may,  comparatively 
speaking,  starve.  His  sympathies  are  limited  to  the  sufferings  of  poor  Canucks. 
Moi'ever.  he  does  not  care  to  have  the  American  transit  trade  disturbed.  Avhereas 
his  patriotic  soul  would  rejoice  to  see  the  C.  P.  Ry.  and  G.  T.  Ry.  tied  up  from 
end  to  end.  Probably  President  Wilson  has  an  Income  equal  to  that  of  many 
trackmen,  altogether  apart  from  "casual  advantages."  Let  him  get  home  to 
his  own  side  of  the  Niagara  river.  Let  him  wash  his  own  linen,  clean  his  own 
si  allies,  and  when  he  has  raised  the  wages  of  trackmen  on  the  great  trunk 
railway  systems  of  the  United  States  to  the  level  of  those  paid  on  Canadian 
systems;  then  he  may  show  his  face  in  British  territory." 


Turned  On  by  a  Railway  Trackman.  41 

The  Federated  Trades  Council,  of  Montreal,  decided  to  bold  a 
meeting  on  the  evening  of  June  27,  and  invited  the  president  of  the  B. 
R.  T.  of  A.  and  the  president  of  the  C.  P.  Ry.  company,  to  attend  and  ex- 
plain the  cause  of  the  difficulty  between  the  trackmen  and  the  com- 
pany.    The  Montreal  Daily  Witness  comments  as  follows: 

Mr.  McNicoll  smiled  at  the  idea  of  either  Mr.  Shaiiglinessy  or  himself  ap- 
pearing at  the  meeting  which  is  called  for  this  evening  at  Bine  Label  Hall,  in 
the  East  End,  and  which  meeting  is  supposed  to  be  representative  of  all  the 
labor  organizations  in  tlie  city. 

In  a  word,  the  general  manager  of  the  C.  P.  R.  considers  the  strike  prac- 
tically over,  although  owing  to  the  action  of  an  obstinate  committee  and  others 
some  of  the  men  remain  out.  The  men  had  not  been  informed  of  the  advances 
offered  and  many  of  them  struck  in  the  dark  as  to  the  real  situation. 

The  Montreal  Gazette  contained  the  following  reference  to  the 
meeting: 

Mr.  J.  T.  Wilson  was  then  introduced  and  spoke  for  an  hour.  He  said  the 
trackmen  felt  that  their  committee  had  done  everything  in  its  power  to  secure 
a  fair  and  satisfactory  adjustment  of  the  difficulties  between  the  trackmen  and 
the  officials  of  the  company,  but  from  some  cause  the  latter  had  failed  to  show 
any  disposition  whatever  to  bring  about  a  peaceable  settlement  of  the  difficul- 
ties. He  said  that  he  had  always  tried  to  be  fair  in  his  dealings  with  men, 
and  had  never  tried  to  arouse  men's  prejudices  and  passions,  because  he  be- 
lieved the  emancipation  of  labor  depended  on  men's  ability  to  ediicate  them- 
selves to  find  out  what  their  rights  were  and  how  to  bind  themselves  together 
and  secure  a  just  share  of  the  wealth  which  they  create  without  industrial 
upheavals. 

Mr.  AVilson  said  that  he  believed  in  evolution;  not  resolution,  and  we  could 
only  have  evolution  by  education.  He  maintained  that  trackmen  were  skilled 
laborers  and  charged  superintendents  and  roadmasters  of  some  sections  with 
circulating  false  reports  early  in  June,  telling  the  men  that  their  committee 
had  left  Montreal  without  any  settlement  being  arrived  at,  and  that  while 
here  they  were  drunk  and  did  not  attend  to  business. 

He  then  read  a  communication  which  the  chairman  of  the  trackmen's  com- 
mittee had  received  last  Wednesday  from  Calgary.  It  stated  that  Monday's 
and  Tuesday's  express  trains  were  tied  up  there,  and  that  all  trains  on  the 
.Edmonton  branch  were  cancelled.  Notwithstanding  reports  to  the  contrary  all 
men  there  were  out  to  stay.  Galicians  had  refused  to  work  for  $5  a  day  and 
board  and  were  being  fed  by  the  citizens  of  Calgary.  Telegrams  concerning 
Calgary  strikers  returning  to  work  were  devoid  of  truth.  This  communica- 
tion. Mr.  Wilson  said,  was  signed  by  three  members  of  the  trackmen's  organi- 
zation at  Calgary.  With  regard  to  the  cry  about  other  roads  not  paying  as 
much  as  the  C.  P.  Ry.,  he  said  to  a  man  who  had  any  conception  of  justice 
it  had  no  weight,  for  he  contended  that  all  men  who  were  able  to  do  a  fair 
day's  work  should  not  be  required  to  work  for  less  than  $1.50  a  day. 

The  trackmen  were  contending  for  better  conditions,  he  said.  They  wanted 
to  take  a  step  in  advance,  and  the  parties  opposing  them  said:  "You  have  gone 
far  enough.  Stop!"  The  necessities  of  life,  he  remarked,  were  20  per  cent 
dearer  here  than  they  were  two  years  ago.     Mr.  Wilson  said  these  difficulties  are 


42  THE  CALCIUM  LIGHT 

more  due  to  misnuderstandiiig  thau  they  are  to  the  disposition  of  men  to 
oppress  others.  Men  who  liave  studied  industrial  questions  and  linow  any- 
thing about  the  law  of  comparison  and  have  considered  the  conditions  in  differ- 
ent countries,  their  productions,  etc.,  can  see  that  when  we  increase  the  wages 
of  workers  it  means  a  greater  demand  for  the  products  of  labor,  it  means  more 
business,  more  commercial  life;  and  if  the  working  people  all  through  this 
country  and  the  States  could  command  $1.50  a  day,  business  men  would  do 
better;  the  transportation  companies  would  do  better. 

"We  are  not  begging  for  money,"  Mr.  AVilson  remarked,  "and  are  not  here 
to  deceive  you.  Our  men  are  full  of  honest  work,  and  we  have  sufficient  funds 
to  conduct  the  contest  in  a  legitimate  way,  indetinitely;  and  we  have  ways  of 
getting  more. 

The  stability  of  the  members  of  the  organization  on  the  Canadian  Pacific 
railroad  was  something  wonderful,  he  said.  Only  one  report  of  desertion  had 
yet  been  received  at  the  committee  room.  The  memberSj  of  the  Brotherhood  of 
Trackmen  were  not  going  to  do  anything  to  disgrace  the  industrial  classes  of 
this  country.  They  had  been  instructed  to  conduct  tliemselves  as  gentlemen 
and  law-abiding  citizens,  and  anyone  violating  these  instructions  would  receive 
no  protection  whatever. 

I  have  no  idea,  he  said,  what  is  the  object  of  the  company  in  prolonging 
this  contest,  and  in  offering  men  five  dollars  a  day.  and  going  through  the 
country  and  getting  men  who  have  been  drunk  and  blacklisted  and  putting 
them  in  charge  of  track  and  the  lives  of  the  public.  It  seems  to  me  they  are 
making  a  very  serious  mistake.  In  conclusion  Mr.  Wilson  said:  "I  have  re- 
ceived information  from  good  authority  that  the  company  is  paying  inexpe- 
rienced men  one  dollar  an  hour  at  Calgary  to  do  work  that  members  of  the 
B.  R.  T.  of  A.  are  willing  to  do  for  $1.50  a  day. 

The  following  is  taken  from  the  Montreal  Daily  Star: 

After  recounting  the  different  stages  of  the  negotiations,  both  in  April  and 
May,  when  the  committee,  which  spoke  for  ninety-five  per  cent  of  the  men, 
exhausted  every  resource  known  to  them  in  the  hope  that  a  strike  might  be 
averted,  all  of  which  claims  have  from  time  to  time  been  published.  Mr.  Wilson 
said: 

"Brother  workingmen.  our  cause  is  just;  our  tactics  to  win  recognition  for 
our  humble,  but  honest,  toilers  are  fair,  and  we  are  prepared  to  continue  the 
struggle  indefinitely.  We  do  not  come  to  you  begging  for  money;  we  have 
ample  for  our  needs,  and  should  we  require  more  our  constitution  provides 
ways  to  get  it. 

"But  I  desire  to  impress  upon  your  mind  the  fact  that  this  unpleasant 
warfare  could  have  been  averted  had  the  officials  of  the  C.  P.  R.  treated  the 
members  of  our  committee  with  the  recognition  to  which  they  are  entitled. 
They  speak  with  authority  for  the  maintenance-of-way  men  employed  on  that 
system,  and  it  is  only  through  them  that  a  settlement  can  be  made;  and  I 
sincerely  hope  that  a  satisfactory  adjustment  of  our  differences  may  soon  be 
brought  about. 

"In  some  quarters  an  appeal  to  narrow  prejudices  is  made  to  injure  our 
cause  and  discourage  our  men,  every  one  of  whom  is  satisfied  to  do  an  honest 
day's  work.  I  am  characterized  as  an  interloper,  an  American,  who  has  crossed 
the  border  into  your  country  for  the  purpose  of  creating  friction  between  em- 


Turned  On  by  x\  Railway  Trackman.  43 

ployer  and  employe.  Nothing-,  my  brothers,  could  be  farther  from  the  truth. 
1  have  been  honored  with  the  i)resideuej'  of  our  Brotherhood  since  it  was 
founded,  and  1  defy  any  one  to  prove  a  single  instance  where  I  did  not  put 
forth  tireless  and  energetic  efforts  to  preserve  the  harmony  which  should  exist 
between  a  company  and  its  men. 

"I  left  nothing  undone  calculated  to  ward  off  trouble  on  the  Maine  Central 
three  weeks  ago;  I  tried  hard  to  avert  it  on  the  C.  P.  R.  one  week  later;  and 
I  would  direct  your  attention  to  my  recommendations  made  before  the  Indus- 
trial Commission  at  Washington  two  years  ago,  wlien  I  was  a  delegate  from 
St.  Louis.  These  are  matters  of  record.  I  maintained  then,  and  I  still  l)elieve, 
that  there  should  be  created  by  the  government  a  tribunal  whose  function  it 
should  be  to  take  up  disputes  between  employer  and  employe  and  adjust  them 
fairly,  their  decision  to  be  binding  on  both  parties. 

Away  with  national  or  racial  prejudices!  \Ye  can  be  honest  men  no 
matter  where  we  were  born.  The  time  to  do  right  is  all  the  time,  and  the 
place  is  everywhere.  I  believe  in  the  Fatherhood  of  Cod  and  the  Brotherhood 
of  Man.  Our  organization  is  international;  two  of  the  grand  executive  otticers, 
out  of  a  total  of  five,  are  Canadians. 

"I  am  glad  to  be  able  to  tell  you  truthfully,  for  I  would  not  deceive  you, 
that  only  one  man  from  the  Atlantic  to  the  Pacific  has  deserted  our  ranks.  Is 
this  not  remarkable  in  the  history  of  strikes?  The  published  reports  from  day 
to  day  that  the  trackmen  are  returning  to  work  are  absolutely  without  founda- 
tion. 

But  I  repeat  that  I  wish  the  trouble  were  over.  It  shall  be  just  as  soon 
as  the  C.  P.  R.  officials  are  willing  to  recognize  that  our  committee  is  not  self- 
constituted,  as  they  have  claimed  to  men  out  on  the  line.  Let  them  submit  a 
counter-proposition  and  I  believe  we  can  reach  an  agreement.  It  is  idle  to 
argue  that  because  the  Intercolonial  and  Grand  Trunk  railways  pay  their  men 
less  than  the  C.  P.  railway,  section  men  should  not  get  more  than  they  have 
been  receiving.  As  well  say  that  because  China  pays  workingmen  four  cents 
a  day,  Italy  should  pay  ten  cents,  and  England  a  few  cents  more.     I  believe 

in  arbitration  when  the  men  who  make  up  that  tribimal  are  practical,  honest 
men." 

Thus  Mr.  Wilson  spoke  for  almost  an  hour.  The  most  important  feature 
of  the  speech,  however,  was  the  implied  willingness  to  submit  the  case  of  the 
men  to  disinterested  persons  for  settlement.  It  is  understood  that  a  compromise 
of  the  differences  could  easily  be  effected  if  the  C.  P.  R.  officials  are  willing 
to  open  the  way  to  further  conferences. 

One  of  the  greatest  obstacles  the  maintenance-of-waj  men  on  the 
C  P.  Ry.  had  to  overcome  was  the  contention  that  the  company  was 
paying  its  trackmen  five  cents  a  day  more  than  other  roads  were  pay- 
ing the  same  class  of  men. 

The  president  of  the  B.  R.  T.  of  A.,  when  asked  to  explain  wjiy 
the  trackmen's  organization  was  trying  to  secure  increased  wages  for 
its  members  on  the  C.  P.  Ry.,  when  they  were  receiving  more  wages 
than  men  who  performed  the  same  class  of  work  on  other  railways, 
more  especially  the  Grand  Trunk  Railway,  replied  that  the  men  on  the 
G.  T.  Ry.  were  not  union  men  and  had  not  called  upon  the  Brotherhood 


44  YHE  CAtClUM  LIGHT 

to  assist  them  in  an  effort  to  secure  increased  wages  and  better  condi- 
tions of  employment;  the  men  on  the  C.  P.  Ry.,  however,  had  contrib- 
uted part  of  their  meagre  earnings  for  the  support  of  the  organization, 
which  entitled  them  to  his  services  and  the  support  of  the  organiza- 
tion. He  also  maintained  that  there  had  been  a  general  rise  in  prices 
of  the  necessaries  of  life;  the  country  generally  was  prosperous;  the 
C.  P.  Ry.  company  was  increasing  dividends;  therefore,  the  mainte- 
nance-of-way  men  should  not  be  compelled  to  reduce  their  standard  of 
living  because  times  were  prosperous.  To  prove  his  assertion  that 
prices  had  advanced,  he  secured  from  a  grocery  merchant  in  Montreal 
a  list  showing  the  market  values  of  the  common  food  products  for  the 
year  1899,  as  compared  with  present  (1901)  prices: 

LIST   OF   PRICES. 

1899. 

Sugar,  per  lb $0.04yo 

Butter,  per  lb 21 

Bread,  per  loaf 13 

Lard,  per  lb 10 

Ham.  per  lb ISi/g 

Bacon,  per  lb 12 

Salt  Pork,  per  lb 07 

Flour,  per  lb 0214 

Peas  (dried)    021/0 

Beans,  per  lb 0214 

Barley,  per  lb 02 1/3 

Rice,  per  lb 04 

Rolled  Oats,  per  lb..      .02i/o 
Can    Goods,  per  can     .07 
Soap,  per  bar 05 

The  above  list  shows  a  little  over  30  per  cent  increase;  that  is,  it 
requires  |9.86|  to  purchase  in  1901  what  17.17^  would  purchase  in 
1899. 

For  some  reason  the  above  information  was  not  placed  before  the 
public  by  the  publishers  of  newspapers. 

The  contention  that  maintenanceof-way  men  should  continue  to 
work  for  less  than  an  equitable  share  of  the  wealth  they  create,  be- 
cause the  same  class  of  men  on  other  roads  continue  to  do  so,  is  ab- 
surd. If  one  citizen  has  a  sick  child  and  desires  the  services  of  a  phy- 
sician, should  he  be  compelled  to  allow  it  to  die  without  the  attention 
of  a  physician  because  some  other  person  in  a  community  is  too  heart- 
less to  employ  a  doctor?  If  men  employed  by  one  railway  company 
are  being  deprived  of  their  rights  is  it  fair  for  the  public  to  condemn 
them  when  they  band  themselves  together  and  nmke  united  efforts  to 
bring  about  improved  conditions  for  themselves  and  families,  because 


1901. 

1899. 

1901. 

$0.05 

Blueing,  per  lb $0.13 

$0.18 

.25 

Washing    Soda,     per 

.15 

100  lbs 1.00 

1.75 

.12 

Cheese,  per  lb 12 

.15 

.16 

Biscuits,  per  lb 10 

.12 

.15 

Tobacco,  per  plug...     ,05 

.10 

.11 

Tobacco,  leaf 06    '- 

.10 

.031/2 

Potatoes  (90  lbs.)...      .70 

.84 

.04 

Rubbers,  per  pr 65 

.90 

.04 

Boots,  per  pr 3.00 

3.50 

.031/3 

Matches,  per  pkg 10 

.121/3 

.05% 

Coal  Oil,  per  gal 17 

.20- 

.031/3 

.10 

$7.17% 

$9,361/3 

.07 

Turned  On  by  a  Raii^way  Trackman.  45 

the  same  class  of  men  ou  other  roads  have  not  got  brains  or  courage 
enough  to  do  likewise? 

The  maintenance-of-wav  men  on  the  C.  P.  Ry.,  or  any  other  road, 
have  a  right  to  form  themselves  into  protective  organizations,  and  to 
contend  for  living  wages  and  fair  treatment,  without  regard  to  the 
miserable  conditions  surrounding  the  same  class  of  men  on  other 
roads.  In  spite  of  capitalists,  with  a  monoi)olized  means  of  communi- 
cation, and  a  subsidized  press  to  aid  them,  the  sympathies  of  Cana- 
dians generally  were  with  the  striking  trackmen,  and  they  are  deserv- 
ing of  the  respect  of  all  good  citizens  for  making  a  manly  tight  in  an 
honorable  and  law-abiding  way  to  improve  their  condition. 

CHAPTER  V. 

IMP011TINC4  ALIENS. 

By  July  1  the  strike  had  reached  an  acute  stage.  Reports  re- 
ceived from  local  representatives  were  to  the  eft'ect  that  the  officials 
were  making  desperate  efforts  to  fill  men's  places  with  foreign  la- 
borers; that  aliens  were  being  brought  across  the  line  in  large  num- 
bers, under  contract,  and,  in  some  instances,  paid  as  much  as  one 
dollar  an  hour.  In  nu\ny  cases  the  strikers  and  their  sympathizers 
petitioned  the  local  authorities  to  enforce  the  Canadian  Alien  Labor 
law.  Failing  to  obtain  relief  in  that  way,  they  insisted  upon  their 
representatives  in  Montreal  taking  the  matter  up  with  the  Minister 
of  Labor  at  Ottawa. 

July  2  the  president  of  the  B.  R.  T.  of  A.,  in  company  with  Mr. 
A.  E.  Raker,  Canadian  solicitor  for  the  organization,  t-alled  on  the 
Deputy  Minister  of  Labor  at  Ottawa,  explained  the  situation,  and 
filed  the  following  complaint: 

Russell  House.  Ottawa.  .July  Srd,  1901. 
Mr.  "W.  L.  :\Iaekeuzie  King,  Deputy  Minister  of  I>al)or.  Ottawa.  Can. 

Dear  Sir:  As  president  of  the  International  Brotherhood  of  Railway  Track- 
men, I  desire  to  advise  you  that  the  Canadian  Alien  Labor  Act  is  not  being 
enforced  at  the  various  ports  of  entry  in  Canada.  At  a  number  of  points,  both 
in  Ontario  and  in  the  other  Provinces,  importations  of  Italians  and  other  alien 
laborers  are  being  made  by  the  Canadian  racific  Railway,  and  these  men  are 
being  employed  by  the  said  company  in  connection  with  the  operation  of  their 
road  in  Canada. 

These  men  are  employed  under  contract,  made  by  agents  of  the  compa^, 
at  various  places  along  the  border  in  the  T'nited  States.  From  information  I 
have  received,  which  is  in  every  way  reliable.  I  feel  justitied  in  making  the 
above  statement  and  believe  it  in  every  way  to  be  correct.  I  might  state 
furtlier  that  indnccnienis.  sucli  as  higher  wages  tlian  is  customary,  liave  been 
made  in  order  to  import  such  labor. 

On  behalf  of  the  trackmen  I  desire  to  set  forth  these  facts,  and  to  request  , 


46  THE  CALCIUM  LIGHT 

that  you  take  such  steps  as  are  necessary  to  protect  the  Canadian  workmen  and 
lo  enforce  the  Alien  Labor  Act.  Yours  truly, 

JOHN  T.  WILSON,  President  B.  R.  T.  of  A. 

The  Deputy  Minister  of  Labor  replied  as  follows: 

Ottawa,  July  3,  1901. 

Sir:  I  desire  to  acknowledge  the  receipt  of  your  communication  of  today, 
in  which  you  state  tliat  at  a  niimber  of  points,  both  in  Ontario  and  other 
provinces,  importations  of  Italians  and  otlier  alien  labour  are  being  made  in 
violation  of  the  Alien  Labour  Act,  and  in  which  yon  request,  on  behalf  of  the 
trackmen,  that  such  steps  be  taken  as  are  necessary  to  protect  the  Canadian 
workmen  and  enforce  the  Alien  Ijabour  Act. 

I  desire  to  inform  you  that  this  department  has  communicated  with  the 
president  of  the  Canadian  Pacific  Railway  in  reference  to  this  matter,  by  in- 
forming him  of  the  alleged  violations  which  have  been  brought  to  the  notice 
of  the  department,  and  enclosing  for  his  information  a  copy  of  the  Alien  Labour 
Act  which  sets  forth  the  penalties  to  which  the  company  renders  itself  liable 
by  violating  the  act. 

This  department  has  also  communicated  with  the  Canadian  immigration 
agents  at  the  several  agencies  throughout  the  Dominion,  bringing  to  their  atten- 
tion the  statements  contained  in  your  communication,  and  enclosing  for  their 
information  copies  of  the  Alien  Labour  Act,  with  the  request  that  where  they 
have  reason  to  believe  that  these  provisions  are  being  infringed,  they  shall 
bring  the  provisions  of  the  act  to  the  notice  of  the  parties  affected. 

I  inclose  herewith  a  copy  of  the  communication  sent  to  the  president  of  the 
C.  P.  R.  and  a  copy  of  the  communication  sent  to  the  immigration  offices  as 
above  mentioned.  Also  a  copy  of  the  consolidation  of  the  Acts  to  Restrict  the 
Importation  and  Employment  of  Aliens,  recently  prepared  by  this  department 

I  am,  sir.  Your  obedient  servant, 

W.  L.  MACKENZIE  KING.  Deputy  Minister  of  Labour. 
John  T.  Wilson.  Esq..  President  Brotherhood  of  Railway  Trackmen  of  America. 

(Copy  of  letter  sent  to  the  president  of  the  Canadian  Pacific  Railway  Co.) 

Ottawa,  3rd  July.  1901. 
Sir:  This  department  has  received  a  communication  on  behalf  of  the  Rail- 
way Trackmen  stating  that  at  a  number  of  points  both  in  Ontario  and  in  the 
other  Provinces,  importations  of  Italians  and  other  *  *  *  *  classes  of 
labour  are  being  made  by  the  C.  P.  R.,  in  violation  of  the  provisions  of  the 
Alien  Labour  Act. 

It  is  further  stated  that  these  men  are  employed  under  contract  made  by 
agents  of  ycnir  company  along  the  border  of  the  United  States. 

I  respectfully  beg  to  enclose  herewith  a  copy  of  the  consolidation  of  the 
•Mien  Labour  Acts  which  contains  the  amendments   to  the  Acts  of  1897  and 
1898,  passed  at  the  last  session  of  Parliament,  for  your  information. 
I  have  the  honour  to  be.     Sir.     Y'our  obedient  servant. 

W.  L.  MACKENZIE  KING,  Deputy  Minister  of  Labour. 
T.  G.  Shaughnessy,  Es(i.,  President  Canadian  Pacific  Railway. 
(Copy  of  letter  sent  to  immigration  agents.) 

Ottawa,  3rd  July,  1901. 
Dear  Sir:     The  Department  of  Labour  has  received  intimations  of  alleged 
violations  of  the  Alien  Labour  Act  at  various  points  along  the  border  between 
Canada  and  the  Lnited  States. 


Turned  On  by  a  Railway  Trackman.  47 

It  is  stated  In  partieular  that  large  numbers  of  Italians  and  other  classes 
of  labour  are  being  imported  under  contract  from  United  States  to  perform 
work  in  this  country. 

As  you  are  doubtless  aware,  such  importation,  if  made  in  violation  of  the 
terms  of  the  Alien  Labour  Act,  is  illegal  and  persons  illegally  imported  ai'e 
liable  to  be  deported  should  their  illegal  importation  be  proven. 

The  several  acts  relating  to  the  prohibition  and  restriction  of  the  importa- 
tion of  aliens  have  recently  been  consolidated  by  this  department  and  I  enclose 
herewith  for  your  information  several  copies  of  this  act. 

This  department  will  l)e  pleased  if  you  will  aid  in  the  effective  enforce- 
ment of  this  act  by  bringing  to  tlie  notice  of  parties  the  provisions  of  the  law 
where  you  have  reason  to  believe  that  there  is  a  possibility  of  the  same  being 
infringed.  Yours  truly. 

W.  L.  MACKENZIE  KING,  Deputy  Minister  of  Labour. 

(Names  aud  addresses  of  agents  to  whom  the  above  letter  was  sent.) 

Halifax,  F.  W.  Annand,  Dominion  Immigration  Agent. 

St.  John,  N.  B.,  B.  Lantalum,  Dominion  Immigration  Agent. 

Quebec,  P.   Doyle,  Dominion  Immigration  Agent. 

Montreal,  John  Hoolahan,  Dominion  Immigration  Agent. 

Port  Arthur,  Ont.,  J.  M.  McGovern,  Dominion  Immigration  Agent. 

Port  Arthur,  Out,  It.  A.  Burriss,  Dominion  Immigration  Agent. 

Winnipeg_J.  Obed  Smith,  Commissioner  of  Immigration. 

Regina,  Paul  N.  Bredt,  Domiuiou  Imiuigration  Agent. 

Calgary,  C.  W.  Sutter,  Dominion  Immigration  Agent. 

Edmonton,   Thos.   Bennett,  Dominion  Immigration  Agent. 

Yorkton,  ,1.  S.  Crerar,  Dominion  Immigration  Agent. 

Dauphin,  F.  K.  Ilerchmer,  Dominion  Land  Agent. 

Dauphin.  .Tacol)  AVood,  Caretaker  Immigration   Sheds. 

Prince  Albert,  Jno.  McTaggart,  Dominion  Land  Agent. 

Medicine  Hat,  L.  B.  Cochrane,  Land  Guide. 

Letlibridge,  Samuel  Gray,  Traveling  Agent. 

McLeod,  Jos.  Nixon.  Land  Guide. 

New  Westminster,  Jno.   McKeuzie,  Dominion  Laud  Agent. 

Kamloops,  E.  A.  Nash.  Dominion  liand  Agent. 

Brandon,  Man.,  C.  W.  Speers,  General  Colonization  Agent. 

Mattawa,  A.  Ribout,  Immigration  Agent. 

Swan  River,  Hugh  Harley,  Land  Guide. 

(Copy  of  Canadian  Alien  Labor  Act.) 
CONSOLIDATION    OF    ACTS    TO    RESTRICT    THE    IMPORTATION    AND 

EMPLOYMENT  OF  ALIENS   (1901). 
His  Majesty,  by  and  with  the  advise  aud  consent  of  the  Senate   and  House 
of  Commons  of  Canada,  enacts  as  follows: 

1.  From  and  after  the  passing  of  this  Act  it  shall  be  unlawful  for  any 
person,  company,  partnership  or  corporation,  in  any  manner  to  pi-epap-  the 
transportation,  or  in  any  way  to  assist  or  encourage  the  importation  or  immi- 
gration of  any  alien  or  foreigner  into  Canada,  under  contract  or  agreement, 
parole  or  special,  express  or  implied,  made  previous  to  the  importation  or  immi- 
gration of  such  alien  or  foreigner,  to  perform  labour  or  service  of  any  kind 
in  Canada.     60-61  Vict,  cliap.  11,  1897. 


48  THE  CALCIUM  LIGHT 

2.  All  contracts  or  agreements,  express  or  implied,  parole  or  special,  here- 
after made  by  and  between  any  person,  company,  partnership  or  corporation, 
and  any  alien  or  foreigner,  to  perform  labour  or  service,  or  having  reference  to 
the  performance  of  labour  or  service  by  any  person  in  Canada,  previous  to  the 
immigration  or  importation  of  the  person  whose  labour  or  service  is  contracted 
for  into  Canada,  shall  be  void  and  of  no  effect.     60-61  Vict,  chap  11,  1897. 

3.  I"or  every  violation  of  any  of  the  provisions  of  section  1  of  this  Act. 
the  person,  partnership,  company  or  corporation  violating  it  by  Ivuowingly 
assisting,  encouraging  or  soliciting  the  immigration  or  importation  of  any  alien 
or  foreigner  into  Canada  to  perform  labour  or  service  of  any  Ivind  under  con- 
tract or  agreement,  express  or  implied,  parole. or  special,  with  such  alien  or 
foreigner,  previous  to  his  Ijecoming  a  resident  in  or  a  citizen  of  Canada,  shall 
forfeit  and  pay  a  sum  not  exceeding  one  thousand  dollars,  nor  less  than  fifty 
dollars. 

II.  The  sum  so  forfeited  may,  Avith  written  consent  of  any  judge  or  the 
court  in  which  the  action  is  intended  to  be  brought,  be  sued  for  and  recovered 
as  a  debt  by  any  person  who  first  brings  his  action  therefor  in  any  court  of 
competent  jurisdiction  in  which  delits  of  like  amount  are  now  recovered. 

III.  Such  sum  may  also,  with  the  written  consent,  to  be  obtained  ex  parte, 
of  the  Attorney  General  of  the  province  in  which  the  prosecution  is  had,  or  of 
a  judge  of  a  superior  or  county  court,  be  recovered  upon  summary  conviction 
before  any  judge  of  a  county  court  (Ijeing  a  justice  of  the  peace),  or  any  judge 
of  the  sessions  of  the  peace,  recorder,  police  magistrate,  or  stipendiary  magis- 
trate, or  any  functionary,  tribunal,  or  pei'son  invested,  by  the  proper  legislative 
authority,  with  power  to  do  alone  such  acts  as  are  usually  required  to  be  done 
b.v  two  or  more  justices  of  the  peace,  and  acting  within  the  local  limits  of  his 
or  its  jurisdiction. 

IV.  The  sum  recovered  shall  be  paid  the  Minister  of  Finance  and  Receiver 
General. 

V.  Separate  proceedings  may  be  instituted  for  each  alien  or  foreigner  who 
is  a  party  to  such  contract  or  agreement.  60-61  Vict.,  chap.  11,  1897.  repealed; 
Edw.  VII.  chap.  13.  1901. 

4.  The  master  of  any  A'essel  who  Ivnowingly  brings  into  Canada  on  such 
vessel  and  lands  or  permits  to  be  landed  from  any  foreign  port  or  place  any 
alien,  labourer,  mechanic  or  artisan  wlio.  previous  to  embarkation  on  sucli 
vessel,  had  entered  into  contract  or  agreement,  parole  or  special,  express  or 
implied,  to  perform  labour  or  service  in  Canada,  shall  be  deemed  guilty  of 
an  indictalile  offence  and  on  conviction  tliereof  shall  be  punislied  by  a  fine  of 
not  more  than  five  hundred  dollars  for  each  alien,  labourer,  meclianic  or  artisan 
so  Iirought  or  landed,  and  may  also  be  imi)risoned  for  a  term  not  exceeding 
six  months.     60-61  Viet.,  chap.  11.  1897. 

5.  Nothing  in  this  Act  shall  be  so  construed  as  to  prevent  any  citizen  or 
subject  of  any  foreign  country,  temporarily  residing  in  Canada,  either  in 
private  or  official  capacity,  from  engaging,  under  contract  or  otherwise,  persons 
not  residents  or  citizens  of  Canada,  to  act  as  private  secretaries,  servants  or 
domestics  for  such  foreigner  temporarily  residing  in  Canada;  nor  shall  this 
Act  be  so  construed  as  to  prevent  any  person,  partnership  or  corporation  from 
engaging,  under  contract  or  agrt'ement.  skilled  workmen  in  foreign  countries 
to  perform  labour  in  Canada  in  or  upon  any  new  industry  not  at  present  estab- 
lished  in   Canada,   provided   that   skilled   labour   for   that   purpose   cannot   be 


Turned  On  by  a  Railway  Trackman.  49 

otherwise  obtained;  uor  shall  the  provisions  of  this  Act  apply  to  pi-ofessional 
actors,  artists,  lecturers  or  singers,  or  to  persons  employed  strictly  as  personal 
or  domestic  servants:  Provided,  that  nothing  in  this  Act  shall  be  construed 
as  prohibiting  any  person  from  assisting  any.  member  of  his  family,  or  any 
relative,  to  migrate  from  any  foreign  country  to  Canada  for  the  purpose  of  set- 
tlement here.  60-61  Vict.,  chap.  11.  1897.  and  amendment,  1  Edw.  VII.,  chap  13, 
1901. 

6.  The  Attorney  General  of  (^'anada,  in  case  he  shall  be  satisfied  that  an 
immigrant  has  been  allowed  to  land  in  Canada  contrary  to  the  prohibition 
of  this  Act,  may  cause  such  immigrant,  within  the  period  of  one  year  after 
lauding  or  entry,  to  be  taken  into  custody  and  returned  to  the  country  whence 
he  came,  at  the  expense  of  the  owner  of  the  importing  vessel,  or,  if  he  entered 
from  an  adjoining  country,  at  the  expense  of  the  person,  partnership,  company 
or  corporation  violating  section  1  of  this  Act.  60-61  Vict.,  chap.  11,  1897,  and 
amendment.  1  Edw.   VII.,  chap.  13,  1901. 

7.  The  Receiver  General  may  pay  to  any  informer  who  furnishes  original 
information  that  the  law  has  been  violated  such  a  share  of  the  penalties  recov- 
ered as  he  deems  reasonable  and  just,  not  exceeding  fifty  per  cent,  where  it 
appears  that  the  recovery  was  had  in  consequence  of  the  information  thus 
furnished.     60-61  Vict.,  chap.  11,  1897. 

8.  It  shall  be  deemed  a  violation  of  this  Act  for  any  person,  partnership, 
company  or  corporation  to  assist  or  encourage  the  importation  or  immigration 
of  any  person  who  resides  in.  or  is  a  citizen  of,  any  foreign  country  to  which 
this  Act  applies,  by  promise  of  employment  through  advertisements  printed  or 
piiblished  in  such  foreign  country;  and  any  such  person  coming  to  this  country 
in  consequence  of  such  an  advertitsement  shall  be  treated  as  coming  under  a 
contract  as  contemplated  by  this  Act,  and  the  penalties  by  this  Act  imposed 
shall  be  applicable  in  such  case:  Provided,  that  this  section  shall  not  apply  to 
slcilled  lal)our  not  obtainable  in  Canada,  as  provided  l>y  section  5  of  this  Act. 
1  Edw.  VII..  chap.  13,  1901. 

9.  This  Act  shall  apply  only  to  the  importation  or  immigration  of  such 
persons  as  reside  in.  or  are  citizens  of.  sucli  foreign  countries  as  have  enacted 
and  retained  in  force,  or  as  enact  and  retain  in  force,  laws  or  ordinances  apply- 
ing to  Canada,  of  a  character  similar  to  this  Act.  60-61  Vict,  chap.  11.  1897, 
and  amendment,  1  Edw.  VII..  chap.  13,  1901. 

II.  Evidence  of  any  such  law  or  ordinance  of  a  foreign  country  may  be 
given, — 

(a)  l)y  the  production  of  a  copy  thereof  purporting  to  be  printed  by  the 
government  printer  ov  at  the  government  printing  office  of  such  foreign  country 
or  contained  in  a  volume  of  laws  or  ordinances  of  such  country  purporting  to 
be  so  printed;  or 

(b)  by  the  production  of  a  copy  thereof  purporting  to  be  certified  to  be  true 
by  some  officer  of  state  of  such  foreign  country  who  also  certifies  that  he  is 
tile  custodian  of  the  original  of  such  law  or  ordinance,  in  which  case  no  pi*5of 
shall  be  required  of  the  handwriting  or  official  position  of  the  person  so  certify- 
ing.    61  Vict.,  chap.  2,  1898. 

10.  Nothing  in  the  said  Act  shall  affect  the  exercise  of  the  powers  of  the 
government  of  Canada  or  of  any  province  in  connection  with  the  promotion  of 
immigration.     1   Edw.   VII.,   chap.   13.   1901. 


50  THE  CAI.CIUM  LIGHT 

PRESS   COMMENTS  RELATIVE   TO   ENFORCEMENT   OF   ALIEN   LABOR 

ACTS. 

The  efforts  of  the  trackmen's  representatives  to  influence  the 
government  officials  to  enforce  the  laws  of  the  Dominion  met  with 
much  ridicule,  as  the  following  extract,  taken  from  a  letter  to  the 
Montreal  Herald,  of  July  4th,  will  show: 

"I  see  in  the  papers  that  Mr.  Wilson,  the  paid  American  organizer,  went  to 
Ottawa  yesterday  to  complain  against  the  importation  of  Americans  to  fill  the 
places  of  the  striking  traclimen. 

"Mr.  Wilson  won't  let  the  Canadians  worli  on  the  C.  P.  R.,  even  at  higher 
wages  than  are  paid  by  other  railways;  he  won't  lielp  his  own  countrymen  get 
better  pay  in  their  own  land;  and  he  protests  against  their  coming  here  to  earn 
more  money  than  tliey  are  paid  at  home.  Now,  what  does  Mr.  Wilson  really 
want"?  To  tie  np  our  Canadian  national  road  altogether  and  to  let  nol)ody 
work  at  all? 

"If  he  is  a  working  man,  isn't  he  himself  an  alien  laborer  just  now.  and. 
if  he  is,  wouldn't  the  law  he  wants  enforced  be  first  directed  to  deport  himself  V 
If  he  did  that,  isn't  it  remindful  of  the  unfortunate  engineer  who  was  hoist 
with  his  own  petard? 

"If  Mr.  Wilson's  ludicrous  appeal  to  fire  himself  out  of  Canada  is  success- 
ful, who  will  complain  on  this  glorious  Fourtli  of  .luly?" 

On  July  6th  the  same  paper  c-ontained  the  following: 

It  is  not  easy  to  withhold  sympathy  with  the  cause  of  labor  wherever  it 
may  be  struggling  against  capital  for  rights  that  are  either  scantily  recognized 
or  contemptuously  ignored;  but  in  the  case  of  the  trackmen's  strike  on  the 
Canadian  Pacific  Railway,  the  merits  of  the  case  weigh  so  lieavily  in  favor  of 
the  company  that  it  is  the  duty  of  the  true  friends  of  labor  to  dissuade  work- 
men from  prolongation  of  a  hopeless  struggle.  The  trackmen  entered  upon 
the  conflict  seriously  handicapped  by  the  fact  that  the  Canadian  Pacific  Railway 
Company  pays  higher  wages  than  are  paid  on  the  other  systems  wltli  which 
it  is  a  competitor.  Knowing  that  this  was  the  case,  the  trackmen  threw  up 
their  employment  in  the  hope  of  coercing  the  company  into  granting  still  higher 
wages.  Mr.  Wilson,  the  president  of  the  Brotherhood,  admits  these  facts: 
but  he  says  that  the  employes  of  the  Grand  Trunk  and  Intercolonial,  who  are 
paid  lower  wages  than  those  of  the  Canadian  Pacific,  are  not  members  of  the 
organization  of  which  he  is  the  head,  and  tlie  Brotherhood  is  not  called  upon 
to  fight  for  those  who  are  outside  its  ranks.  The  statement  may  be  true,  but 
it  will  not  satisfy  the  public.  It  is  against  that  strong  elementary  principle 
of  British  fair  play,  which  is  the  usual  standard  of  justice  in  cases  of  this 
kind,  tliat  tlie  company  which  pays  tlie  highest  wages  should  be  compelled  to 
pay  still  higher,  before  the  others  are  brought  up  to  its  level.  That  is  wliy 
Mr.  Wilson  has  failed  to  gain  public  sympathy  in  this  strike;  why  he  has 
failed  to  get  the  support  of  kindred  organizations,  and  why  the  Canadian 
Pacific  are  bound  to  win  in  the  struggle.  One  of  the  most  hopeless  features 
in  this  strike  is  that  the  men  have  not  even  a  case  thai  can  go  to  arbitration. 
They  are  fighting  for  a  minimum  wagfe  of  a  dollar  and  a  half  a  day — small 
enough  remuneration,  it  is  true — but  the  company  pay  a  minimum  of  a  dollar 
and  a   quarter   while  others   are   paying  only   one   dollar   and   ten   cents,    and 


Turned  On  by  a  Railway  Trackman.  51 

surely  Mr.  Wilson  has  suffifieut  iulelliyvnco  to  realize  tliat  bolore  be  can  log- 
ically aslv  the  C.  P.  R.  for  more  he  must  first  get  the  railways  who  pay  oue 
dollar  and  ten  cents  for  the  same  class  of  labor  up  to  tlie  dollar  and  a  quarter 
standard.  There  is  good  reason  for  supposing  that  tlie  Brotherhood  in  this 
instance  chose  as  the  target  for  assault  the  Canadian  Pacitic,  because  that 
system — in  consequence  of  its  length  of  mileage,  stretching  as  it  does  from  the 
Atlantic  to  tlie  Pacific — is  more  vulnerable  tlian  otiier  railways.  The  principle 
is  neither  fair  nor  just.  The  company,  assured  of  public  sympatliy.  have 
ah'eady  practically  won  the  fight.  The  men  who  still  remain  out  will,  if  they 
are  well  advised,  return  to  work. 

The  statement  made  in  the  foregoing  article  that  the  minimum 
wage  was.$1.25,  is  incorrect;  the  minimum  wage  paid  is  fl.lo. 

In  strong  contrast  with  the  foregoing  is  the  following  editorial 

from  the  Inland  Sentinel: 

"Without  entering  into  the  merits  of  the  case  against  the  special  constaltlcs 
arrested  near  Ashcroft  last  week,  charged  with  intimidating  Avorlvmen,  the 
fact  that  the  company's  officials  are  compelled  to  have  recourse  to  such  extreme 
measures  in  order  to  have  necessary  work  done  on  the  traclv  is  scarcely  in 
accord  with  their  oft  reiterated  declaration  that  they  have  no  difficulty  in 
obtaining  men  /to  fill  the  strikers'  places.  Even  ten  dollars  a  day  and  board 
failed  to  tempt  more  than  a  mere  handful  of  men  to  go  to  work  upon  a  mud 
slide  east  of  this  point.  The  trutli  of  the  matter  is  they  find  it  almost  im- 
possible to  get  any  one  to  accept  work  at  any  price.  The  reason  is  not  hard 
to  find  and  lies  in  the  fact  that  the  general  public  recognize  the  justice  of  the 
claims  of  the  striking  trackmen  for  a  living  wage,  and  are  in  liearty  sympathy 
with  the  movement.  In  addition  to  this  the  meu  upon  whose  sympatliics  the 
company  relied  as  a  reserve  force  upon  which  they  could  fall  back  and  use  as 
a  lever  to  compel  the  strikers  to  submit,  know  full  well  that  they  would  not 
be  advancing  their  own  interests  by  talcing  up  the  work,  and  tliey  object  to 
being  made  the  tools  of  the  company,  only  to  be  cast  aside  when  the  struggle 
is  over.  MeauAvhile  the  strikers  stand  firm  and  the  condition  of  the  track  is 
daily  becoming,  accordingto  our  reports,  more  and  more  deplorable,  and  travel- 
ing more  hazardous,  facts  that  cannot  but  ho  potent  factors  in  bringing  the 
company  to  a  sense  of  their  responsibilities  leading  eventually  to  a  satisfactory 
settlement  of  the  disiiute. 

Here  is  another  extract  from  the  Inland  Sentinel : 

There  are  about  200  Qalicians  in  Calgary  and  the  officials  cannot  get  them 
to  work  for  ten  dollars  a  day,  although  they  have  no  money  at  all.  The  way 
they  are  sticliing  by  the  strikers  is  a  great  siirprise  to  every  one.  especiall.v 
to  the  company  who  were  depending  on  them  if  the  strike  sliould  come  off. 

The  Calgary  and  Edmonton  Railway  has  been  tied  up  for  more  than  a 
week;  cannot  move  a  train  on  it.  There  is  a  passenger  train  stuck  about  IWty 
miles  north  of  Calgary  and  cannot  get  either  way  on  account  of  bad  track. 

This  unlooked  for  sympathy  on  the  part  of  the  Galicians.  .Taps.  Indians,  and 
Italians.  u])on  whose  services  the  company  relied,  has  completely  nonplussed 
the  officials. 

The  arrest  of  special  constables  in  the  C.  P.  R.'s  employ  at  Ashcroft  has 
created  a  good  deal  of  interest  in  the  situation  there.    The  case  was  adjourned 


52  THE  CALCIUM  LIGHT 

at  the  request  of  the  company's  solicitor  from  Wednesday  uutil  tomorrow 
(Wednesday).  A  feature  in  connection  with  this  case  that  has  excited  a  good 
deal  of  comment  is  the  giving  of  bail  for  the  accused  parties.  It  is  considered 
doubtful  whether  bail  would  have  been  admitted  at  all  had  the  boot  been  on 
the  other  foot  and  had  the  specials  been  intimidated  by  the  strikers. 

From  the  Ottawa  Journal: 

If  anything  more  were  wanted  to  demonstrate  the  indirect  influence  and 
the  power  wielded  by  a  great  corporation  through  the  medium  of  the  press, 
it  is  to  be  found  in  the  sensational  news  spread  broadcast  to  the  world  through 
press  channels  of  the  condition  of  the  trackmen  employed  by  the  C.  P.  R.  That 
any  Trades  Union  men,  especially  in  Toronto,  have  been  caught  by  this  report 
that  the  C.  P.  K.  was  paying  a  higher  rate  of  wages  and  treating  its  men  better 
than  the  other  roads,  and  that  they  went  back  on  the  striking  trackmen  can 
only  be  taken  with  a  plentiful  admixture  of  salt,  to  make  it  at  all  digestible.  I 
have  not  the  least  hesitation  in  saying 'just  here  to  the  news-reading  public  that 
this  is  a  very  glaring  instance  of  the  way  news  is  coolved  for  the  reading  public 
by  press  association  messages,  when  said  news  in  any  way  refers  to  or  concerns 
a  great  and  powerful  corporation  such  as  the  C.  P.  11.  is  known  to  be,  and 
made  so  by  a  liberal  supply  of  the  people's  money.  This  is  easy  to  understand 
when  one  realizes  that  the  C.  P.  R.  practically  owns  and  controls  the  telegraph 
system  of  the  country,  and  through  its  many  millionaires,  fattened  at  the  public 
crib,  it  has  a  controlling  interest  in  many,  if  not  the  majority,  of  the  leading 
newspapers  of  the  country. 

From  the  Winnipeg  Voice: 

A  half  dozen  men  started  work  in  the  Winnipeg  yards  this  morning  and 
caused  quite  an  excitement  for  a  time.  The  Galicians  looked  like  attacking 
the  beginners,  but  the  trackmen  prevented  it,  as  it  is  not  proposed  to  give  any 
grounds  for  telegraphic  repoits  of  outrages  here.  They  expect  the  men  will 
quit  as  soon  as  they  take  in  the  situation. 

On  Wednesday  last  the  people  staying  at  the  government  immigration  hall 
were  turned  out  and  locked  out.  They  had  been  notified  the  day  previous 
that  there  was  plenty  of  work  to  be  got,  and  so  there  was  no  need  for  them 
to  be  staying  at  the  government  hotel,  and  they  had  a  day's  notice  to  accept 
employment  and  quit,  or  to  quit  anyhow  if  they  could  not  by  then  show  a 
contract  of  acceptance  of  work.  This  action  at  the  immigration  hall  immedi- 
ately gave  rise  to  the  report  that  an  attempt  was  being  made  to  force  the  Gali- 
cians into  the  employ  of  the  C.  P.  R.  company  in  spite  of  their  strong  objec- 
tions thereto. 

At  the  same  time,  though,  as  a  matter  of  fact,  correspondence  was  going  on 
between  the  company  officials,  the  immigration  commissioner,  and  Ottawa  in 
which  the  company  charge  that  immigration  officials  were  advising  men  not 
to  accept  work  on  the  C.  P.  R. 

They  are  two  very  different  stories.     What  are  the  facts? 

The  company  officials  seem  in  the  first  place  to  have  got  the  notion  that 
the  immigration  hall  was  an  ever  ready  recruiting  ground  for  labor  to  take 
the  strikers'  places.  On  one  occasion  last  week  the  men  were  lined  up  and 
addressed  by  the  officials.  They  were  told  of  the  strike  and  so  the  effort  was 
a  failure.  On  Saturday,  using  a  Doukhobor  as  intermediary,  a  gang  of  twenty 
was  procured  and  got  aboard  the  train,  but  the  whole  bunch  deserted  at  the 


Turned  On  by  a  Raii^way  Trackman.  53 

last  moment  and  this  bad  a  veiy  disquieting  effect  on  the  temper  of  the  offi- 
cials. 

Later  on  the  immigration  people  got  an  offer  for  one  hundred  men  to  worli 
on  the  liainy  liiver  road  at  $1.75,  a  higher  figure  than  the  C.  P.  II.  were  paying, 
and  Mft  Hislop  advised  them  to  accept  the  -svorlv  as  they  would  have  to  leave 
the  hall  anyway.  Mr.  Connor  of  the  C.  P.  Ry.  charged  them  with  advi.siug  the 
men  not  to  work  on  the  C.  P.  Ky.  and  an  otiicial  complaint  was  afterwards 
lodged  with  the  department  to  that  effect. 

The  Immigration  Commissioner  says  that  the  department  is  determined  to 
be  neutral,  and  were  in  a  very  ticklish  position,  as  it  looked  as  if  they  were 
barlioring  men  so  that  they  did  not  accept  work  with  the  company.  The  men 
would  not  accept  work  with  the  company,  so  messengi-rs  were  si-nt  around  to 
the  employment  bureaus  and  it  was  ascertained  that  there  was  work  elsewhere 
for  all  who  would  accept.  Consequently,  the  men  were  told  to  get  work  some- 
where, and  the  Rainy  River  offer  was  put  before  them,  and  the  intimation  given 
that  the  hall  would  be  closed  to  them.  This  was  afterwards  carried  out.  Mr. 
Hislop  only  carried  out  these  instructions. 

This  incident  shows  that  the  company  are  hard  pressed  to  get  men.  Be- 
cause the  immigration  people  would  not  bundle  the  men  into  their  service  "neck 
and  crop"  they  complain  that  men  are  being  kept  from  them.  Its  proper  course 
is  to  remain  neutral.  For  we  should  hope  that  there  would  be  a  most  emphatic 
protest  if  the  immigration  office  is  used  to  recruit  scabs  to  the  injury  of  the 
trackmen. 

The  railway  company  is  making  far  more  strenuous  etTorts  than  they  care 
to  acknowledge  to  procure  men.  In  addition  to  the  efforts  mad^'  at  Winnipeg, 
noted  elsewhere,  it  is  charged  that  they  have  attempted  to  break  the  law  in 
respect  to  the  importation  of  alien  contract  labor.  In  British  Columbia  it  has 
been  almost  impossible  to  get  a  man  to  go  to  work  and  so  numbers  have  been 
sent  from  Manitoba,  and  it  appears  that  the  adjoining  states  are  being  depended 
upon  as  per  the  following  message,  similar  ones  having  also  been  sent  to  Mr. 
R.  Smith,  M.  P.: 

Revelstoke.  B.  C.  June  20.  1901. 
G.  R.  Maxwell,  M.  P.,  Vancouver,  B.  C. 

Information  received  that  Provincial  Government    are    lirinping    scabs    from    Seattle, 
swearing  them  iu  as  provincial  police  contrary  to  Alien  Act.     Kindly  attend  to  it  at  once. 

The  following  is  from  the  pen  of  some  embryo  jioet,  evidently  a  C. 
P.  Ry.  official,  and  was  typewritten  and  distributed  all  along  the  line: 

WHAT  DO  YOU  THINK? 

From   Uncle   Sam's  domain  he  came. 
With  plans   all   cut   and   dried, 
I  To  raise  a  strike  of  masnitude. 

And   hear   his  name   with   pride.      , 

"Justice"  he  did  not  stop  to  think,  ^ 

Or   its   moaning  to  define:  ^ 

For   if   ho   had,    he  never   would 
Have  crossed  the  boundary  line. 

He   would    Iiave   in   his   own   free   state. 

Which   claims  a   virgin   soil, 
Demanded    sani(>   scale   of   wages   paid 

C.    P.    R.   trackmen's  toll. 


54  THE  CAIvCIUM  I^IGHT 

I  have  wondered  that  so  many 

"Would   back   a    losing  game; 
With  a  little  thought  aud  study, 

They   could  see  it   clear   and   plain. 

Canadian   press   and   people  , 

Whom   this   question   has    impressed, 
Cannot  enlist    their   sympathy 

With  men  that  are  paid  best. 

Then   as  good  advice   to   Wilson 

Who  should   really   take  his  cue, 
Retrace  your  steps  across  the  line 

And    poorest    paid    give   their   due. 

Then   when  the   wages  are   leveled   up, 

1    am    sure   j-ou"ll   get    a    chance, 
Your  arguments   will   be   stronger 

Thau  they  have  been  in  advance. 

CHAPTER  VI. 

MEN  IN  TRAIN  SERVICE  BECOME  UNEASY. 

About  this  time  it  was  becoming  generally  known  that  the  mem- 
bers of  the  other  organizations  composed  of  railway  employes  were  be- 
coming very  much  dissatisfied  with  the  situation,  owing  to  the  strike 
of  the  trackmen  making  their  occupations  very  hazardous. 

The  following  resolution  was  passed  at  union  meetings  at  several 
places  on  the  C.  P.  Ry.  system: 

Resolved,  that  the  eouditions  existing  aud  brotiglit  about  owiug  to  the 
stopping  of  work  by  the  employes  of  the  maintenance-of-\vay  department  are 
ealculated  to  endanger  the  personal  safety  of  the  employes  of  the  traiu  service, 
and  is  against  the  l>est  interest  of  the  company;  therefore,  be  it  resolved  that 
we  deplore  the  continuance  of  the  strike  and  with  the  view  to  bring  about  a  fair 
settlement,  we,  the  Brotherhoods  jointly  assembled,  are  strongly  in  favor  of 
conciliating  through  and  ))y  the  general  chairmen  of  the  five  organizations  here 
represented,  and  that  a  copy  of  tliis  resolution  be  forwarded  to  each  division  or 
lodge  on  the  C.  P.-Railway  system,  and  that  they  be  aud  are  hereby  requested 
to  take  such  or  similar  action. 

July  4  the  following  letter  was  mailed  to  each  member  of  the  B. 
R.  T.  of  A.  on  the  C.  P.  Ry.  system : 

Another  week  of  our  struggle  has  passed.  Although  trains  have  been 
wrecked  and  traffic  delayed,  your  committee  has  not  received  anything  from  the 
officials  indicating  that  they  would  like  to  bring  the  contest  to  a  close. 

Reports  received  from  various  parts  of  the  system  Inform  us  that  the  men 
are  more  determined  than  ever.  They  tell  us  to  stand  firm,  that  the  company 
cannot  starve  us  out.  or  compel  us  to  kneel  under  the  "lash  of  tyranny"  by 
well-paid  officials.  Your  committee  has  been  informed,  by  what  it  considers  a 
reliable  source,  that  one  of  the  officials  stated  it  was  the  intention  of  the  com- 
pany to  spend  ten  millions  of  dolla's  before  they  wotdd  allow  the  maintenance- 
of-\^';iy  men   to  l)eat  tiieiu. 

Now.  brothers,  remember,  these  officers  of  the  company  are  willing  to  ex- 
pend more  in  a  figlit  against  us  aud  in  opposition  to  right  and  jivstice  than  it 


•  e 

f- 
>/) 
>■ 
(/)       ~ 

dec  &p 

^go 

^^< 

5 
< 
z 
< 
o 

<ccco 

6 
u 

< 
o 

lU     •>  o 

>  Occ 

o  •— '  w 

o 
a 


0. 
6 


z 
o 

-5 

a 
u 
aa 
S 

UJ 


ccW 


TuRNKD  On  by  a  Railway  Trackman.  55 

would  cost  to  give  us  ALL  we  are  askiug  for  iu  tweuty  years,  notwitlistaudiug 
we.lielycd  to  create  and  pile  up  tlie  wealth  they  are  uow  tightiug,  and  iuteud 
to  tight  us  with.  They  are  opposing  us  v»ith  money  that  is  ours  by  right.  It 
takes  MEN  to  operate  railroads.  Let  us  show  them  that  we  are  men  aud  can- 
not be  deprived  of  our  just  rights  even  Avith  the  ten  millions  of  dollars  surplus, 
which  they  have  laid  away  to  tight  us  with,  and  which  represents  our  sweat 
aud  toil  for  years. 

Brothers,  this  is  a  struggle  for  liberty  and  justice.  Remember,  if  we  let 
them  beat  us  this  time  we  wdl  be  slaves  during  the  remainder  of  our  lives, 
aud  our  children  will  become  slaves  for  the  chihlreu  of  the  men  who  are  now 
striving  to  crush  us  under  the  wheel  of  "organized  greed."  We  must  light 
to  the  bitter  end.  We  must  gain  a  little  something  for  ourselves,  and  more  for 
our  children.  Let  us  continue  the  fight  in  a  peaceful,  honorable  and  manly 
way  until  victory  is  perched  upon  our  banner.  The  struggle  uuiy  be  a  hard 
one.  but  we  can  aud  must  win;  aud  in  after  years  our  children  will  rise  up 
and  bless  our  names  aud  courage. 

It  seems  that  all  of  the  railway  officials  of  North  America  and  some  of  the 
newspapers,  have  combined  to  aid  the  C.  P.  Railway  officials  iu  wagiug  a 
soulless  aud  heartless  war  against  us,  but,  thank  God!  the  sympathies  of  all 
fair-minded,  honest  citizens  are  with  us.  AVith  their  assistance,  and  the  en- 
couragement we  are  receiving  from  members  of  other  labor  organizations  we 
expect  to  defeat  those  who  are  trying  to  deprive  us  of  our  just  rights.  Do  not 
be  swerved  by  .mis-statements  published  in  newspapers;  some  of  them  are 
trying  to  mislead  and  discourage  the  men  engaged  in  this  battle.  The  mainte- 
nance-of-way  men  on  the  C.  P.  Railway  are  in  this  fight  for  themselves,  and 
not  for  the  president  of  our  organization,  as  contended  by  some  of  our  enemies. 

Brothers,  do  not  become  discouraged  on  account  of  a  few  deserters  return- 
ing to  work.  We  have  men  enough  on  the  C.  P.  R.  to  fight  the  battle  to  a 
finish  and  win,  and  we  are  going  to  do  it. 

It  is  stated  that  R.  C.  Montgomery,  a  man  in  whom  the  committee  never 
had  any  confidence,  has  been  appointed  assistant  roadmaster,  and  is  "scabbing" 
on  the  section  men  in  the  vicinity  of  Ottawa.  Your  committee  discovered  that 
he  was  a  traitor  to  your  interests  long  before  the  strike  was  ordered.  We  had 
him  watched  one  night,  when  he  was  seen  to  enter  the  St.  James  Hotel,  where 
some  of  the  officials  of  the  company  were  stopping,  and  to  engage  in  a  con- 
sultation with  them.  Do  not  allow  such  things  to  discourage  you.  This  is  a 
struggle  for  justice,  aud  it  must  be  won  by  us  in  spite  of  all  the  money  the 
C.  P.  R.  officials  have  at  their  disposal,  and  in  spite  of  the  few  cowards  and 
"Judasos"  they  can  scare  and  bribe  to  pull  against  us. 

In  some  instances  the  otticials  are  attempting  to  frighten  the  men  back  to 
work  l)y  telling  them  if  they  do  not  return  before  a  certain  time  they  will  be 
permanently  discharged.  Tell  them  we  quit  at  the  same  time,  and  will  return 
to  work  at  the  same  time,  or  never.  As  the  strike  may  be  prolonged  for  a  while 
longer  we  would  advise  those  who  are  able  to  find  employment  outside  to 
take  it,  as  many  of  the  brothers  are  doing  now^  on  different  parts  of  the  system, 
many  of  them  receiving  better  wages  than  on  the  road.  They  may  rest  assm-ed 
that  when  a  settlement  is  reached  they  will  be  reinstated  to  their  old  stations. 

Yours  in  B.  L.  &  U., 

JOSEPH    LENNOX,   Chairman, 
A.  F.  STOUT,  Secretary, 


56  THE  CALCIUM  LIGHT 

The  manager  of  the  C  P.  Ky.  did  uot  waut  the  representatives  of 
the  other  organizations  on  the  C.  V  Ky,  to  come  in  contact  with  the 
maiutenance-of-way  men's  representatives.  He  attempted  to  prevent 
it  by  arranging  a  meeting  with  the  chairmen  of  the  B.  L.  E,,  O.  R.  C. 
and  B.  K.  T.,  at  Winnipeg.  What  tooiv  j^lace  at  said  meeting  may 
never  come  to  light. 

Tlie  following  is  a  copy  of  the  report  sent  out  by  the  three  chair- 
men to  the  members  of  the  B.  L.  E.,  B.  R.  T.,  B.  L.  F.,  O.  R.  T.  and 
O.  R.  C: 

Winnipeg,  Man.,  July  19,  1901. 

Dear  Sirs  and  Brothers:  Tlie  undersigned  general  chairmen  hereby  submit 
the  following  report  for  your  t-ousideration: 

Owing  to  the  strike  of  the  maiutenanee-of-way  men  of  the  system  and  in 
compliauee  with  letters  and  resolutions  received  from  various  points  requesting 
us  to  offer  our  services  as  a  conciliatory  board,  we,  on  the  4th  of  July,  entered 
into  communication  with  Mr.  McNicoll.  and  after  letters  and  telegrams  had 
been  exchanged  on  the  subject,  Mr.  McNicoll  came  to  Winnipeg  and  asked  us 
for  an  interview. 

On  July  15th  we  met  Mr.  McNicoll  and  after  he  had  explained  the  position 
of  the  company,  and  the  offers  he  had  made  the  mainteuauce-of-way  men,  he 
requested  us  to  deny  the  reports  that  the  strikers  would  receive  the  support  of 
the  other  railway  organizations,  to  which  we  replied  that  Ave  could  not  comply 
with  his  request,  as  from  the  instructious  which  we  had  received  we  were  re- 
quired for  the  present  to  remain  neutral. 

Before  the  close  of  the  negotiations  we  made  the  following  proposition,  viz.: 
That  if  the  company  would  sign  an  agreement  with  the  maiutenance-of-way 
men  and  reinstate  all  strikers,  we  would  recommend  the  committee  to  settle 
on  the  advances  made  by  the  company.     This  offer  Mr.  McNicoll  declined. 

Owing  to  the  fact  that  Mr.  Wilson  and  INIr.  McNicoll  both  seem  confident 
of  winning  in  the  present  struggle  witliout  the  assistance  of  the  other  organi- 
zations, we  feel  that  we  cannot  do  anything  further  at  the  present  time. 

CHAS.   rOPE.   B.   L.   E.. 
A.  SHAW,  O.  R.  C 
A.  W.  JOHNS.  B.  R.  T. 

It  will  be  observed  that  Chairmen  Pope,  Shaw  and  Johns,  repre- 
senting the  engineers,  conductors  and  trainmen,  acted  independently 
of  the  cliairmen  of  the  telegraphers  and  firemen.  They  also  recom- 
mended a  basis  of  settlement  witliout  consulting  the  maintenance-of- 
way  men's  representatives.  Perhaps  the  hardest  thing  to  explain  is 
why  the  manager  would  not  allow  the  maintenance-of-way  men  to  sur- 
render on  the  terms  previously  offered  by  himself,  which  would  have 
been  the  case  had  they  agreed  to  settle  on  the  terms  recommended 
by  Pope,  Shaw  and  Johns. 

In  commenting  upon  the  report  of  the  chairmen  of  the  engineers, 
conductors  and  trainmen,  the  Inland  Sentinel  says: 

The  general  chairmen  of  the  Railroad  Brotherhoods,  who.  in  the  capacity  of 


Turned  On  by  a  Railway  Trackman.  57 

a  conciliatory  board,  met  Mauager  McNicoU  at  Winnipeg,  with  the  object  of 
bringing  about  a  settlement  of  the  strike,  vpon  terms  satisfactory  to  all  parties 
concerned,  have  made  public  .the  result  of  their  negotiations.  As  published  in 
the 'Sentinel  at  the  time,  the  result  was  refusal  on  the  part  of  Manager  McNicoU 
to  consider  the  proposals  of  the  conciliatory  board.  In  view  of  the  reports 
issued  by  the  C.  P.  R.  officials  concerning  the  conduct  of  the  strike,  and  also 
in  regard  to  their  willingness  to  deal  fairly  with  the  men.  and  especially  in 
view  of  the  company's  statements  regarding  the  wages  paid  tlie  trackmen,  it 
is  very  important  that  the  facts  in  connection  with  the  conciliation  board's 
negotiations  with  Manager  McNicoU  shouid  be  generally  known  and  properly 
understood. 

In  the  first  place  it  will  be  noted  that  the  general  chairmen,  for  some 
cause  or  other,  did  not  carry  out  the  exact  instructions  received  by  them  from 
their  respective  Itrotherlioods.  Tlieir  instructions  were  that  they  should  pro- 
ceed to  Montreal  and  there  act  as  a  conciliation  board.  This  was  quite  a  rea- 
sonable instruction  as  in  :M()ntreal  are  located  the  head  ortic<>s  of  the  Canadian 
Pacific  Ptailway  Company,  and  tlie  central  committee  of  the  Trackmen's  Brother- 
hood, the  two  parties  to  be  conciliated.  Instead  of  going  to  INIontreal  the  chair- 
men communicated  with  :Mr.  McNicoU.  intimating  their  wiUingness  to  act  as 
a  conciliation  board.  INIr.  McNicoU  put  them  olf  for  two  weeks  and  then  put 
in  an  appearance  at  Winnipeg  and  requested  the  chairmen  to  meet  him,  not 
for  the  purpose  of  conciUation.  but  to  persuade  the  chairmen  to  declare  in 
favor  of  the  company,  something  which  the  chairmen  very  properly  declared 
to  be  entirely  beyond  their  instructions. 

But  it  will  be  seen  that  uothwithst:mding  the  fact  that  the  general  chair- 
men, by  their  failure  to  adhere  strictly  to  their  instructions,  had  given  Manager 
McNicoU  an  opportunity  to  steal  a  march  on  them,  were  desirous,  even  to  the 
length  of  doing  what  they  had  no  authority  to  do.  of  using  their  influence  to 
terminate  the  strike,  and  so  made  Mr.  McNicoU  this  proposition: 

"That  if  the  company  would  sign  an  agreement  with  the  maintenance-of-way 
men  and  reinstate  all  strikers,  we  would  recommend  the  committee  to  settle 
on  the  advances  made  by  the  company." 

In  other  words,  if  Mr.  McNicoU  would  recognize  the  trackmen's  committee, 
the  general  chairmen  of  all  the  other  Brotherhoods  pledged  themselves  to  bring 
about  a  settlement  of  the  strike  on  the  terms  other  than  the  recognition  of  the 
Union,  put  forward  by  Mr.  McNicoU  himself. 
This  offer  Mr.  McNicoU  declined. 
Why? 

There  can  only  be  one  answer. 

Mr.  McNic«ll  preferred  to  go  back  on  his  own  offer,  rather  than  recognize 
the  Trackmen's  Union.  He  disclosed  clearly  that  it  was  not  the  question  of 
wages  that  the  company  considered,  but  the  attempt  of  the  trackmen  to  organ- 
ize themselves  into  a  I'nion  for  mutual  protection.  Again  the  question  arises. 
Why  should  the  company  resist  so  strongly  the  attempt  of  the  trackmen  to 
organize  a  Union,  when  they  recognize  the  Unions  organized  by  their  employes 
in  other  departments? 

The  answer  that  the  facts  justify,  is  that  Manager  McNicoU  is  not  fighting 
simply  a  Canadian  Pacific  Railway  liattle,  but  that  he  is  carrying  out  an 
agreement  entert'd   into  by  him  as  general  mauager  of  the  C.  P.  R.   with  the 


58  THE  CAI.CIUM  LIGHT 

General  Managers'  Association  to  resist  to  the  utmost  limit  the  successful 
organization  of  the  tvaclcmen  on  the  company's  system. 

That  the  ans^Yer  is  fully  warranted  by  the  facts  must  now  be  apparent  to 
every  one  who  has  followed  at  all  closely  the  conduct  of  the  company  from 
the  outset  of  the  strike. 

It  is  timely  at  this  juncture  to  review  some  of  the  facts  that  go  to  establish 
the  conclusion  that  American  railway  managers  are  taking  a  hand  in  the 
strike. 

In  the  first  place  it  is  well  known  tliat  in  April  last.  AA'hen  the  grievance 
committee  of  the  trackmen  first  approached  the  company  for  redress  of  their 
grievances,  they  were  put  off  first  on  one  excuse  and  then  on  another.  Mean- 
Avhile  high  otiicials  of  the  comi)any  were  sent  across  to  the  United  States  to 
examine  into  conditions  there  and  to  confer  with  managers  of  the  big  American 
railroad  systems.  Ofhcials  of  the  company  conferred  with  the  General  Mana- 
gers' Association,  and.  as  has  since  leaked  out,  secured  the  promise  of  financial 
assistance  in  any  fight  the  Canadian  Pacific  Railway  company  miglit  wage 
with  organized  labor.  The  probability  of  a  strike  of  the  trackmen  was  dis- 
cussed at  this  conference  and  Manager  McNicoU  was  urged  to  decline  to  recog- 
nize a  trackmen's  union  in  any  shape  or  form,  and  was  promised,  if  he  main- 
tained this  attitude,  the  hearty  co-operation  of  the  American  railway  companies. 

In  due  course  the  trackmen's  grievance  committee  was  turned  down  by 
Manager  McNicoll;  their  President,  Mr.  Wilson,  Avas  treated  in  like  manner, 
and  then  the  strike  was  declared.  Tliere  have  been  t^trikes  on  the  C.  P.  R. 
before,  but  never  one  conducted  as  this  one!  American  methods  have  been 
adopted.  The  arming  of  special  railway  constables,  not  to  protect  company 
property,  but  to  coerce  "scabs,"  is  essentially  an  American  method  of  fighting 
strikers.  The  Hying  "scab  train"  is  another  American  innovation.  In  many 
other  ways  it  has  been  made  abundantly  evident  that  in  the  conduct  of  this 
strike  American  influences  have  been  at  work.  Ho^^■ever,  this  fact  is  made 
most  apparent  by  Manager  McNicoU's  refusal  to  accept  the  offer  made  by  the 
general  chairmen  of  the  Brotherhoods.  He  had  an  opportunity  to  settle  on  his 
OAvn  terms  and  in  accepting  the  offer  made  him  he  would  liave  secured  the  sup- 
port of  all  the  Brotherhoods  concerned  Avho  Avould  have  been  bound  by  the 
decision  of  their  general  chairmen.  The  strike  would  certainly  have  terminated 
in  short  order,  the  vast  expense  now  being  incurred  uselessly  by  the  company 
would  have  ceased  and  traffic  would  very  quickly  have  resumed  normal  condi- 
tions. All  these  advantages  were  thrown  away  by  Mr.  McNicoll  rather  than 
recognize  the  trackmen's  committee.  There  must  l)e  something  back  of  ^Ir. 
McNicoU's  stand  other  than  he  has  so  far  disclosed,  for  the  C.  P.  R.  company 
have  never  persisted  for  any  length  of  time  in  refusing  recognition  to  a  Union 
formed  hj  their  employes.  That  something  is  the  General  Managers'  Associa- 
tion, with  whom  Mr.  McNicoll  agreed  to  fight  the  Trackmen's  Union  to  a 
finish.        *        *        *        * 

July  8  tlie  followinj?  letter  was  mailed  to  each  member  of  the 
B.  R.  T.  of  A.  on  the  C.  P.  Rv.  system: 

Three  weeks  have  passed  since  yoti  suspended  work.  Being  practical 
trackmen  you  understand  that  in  most  localities  where  track  is  in  fair  condi- 
tion trains  can  be  run  over  it  at  a  fair  rate  of  speed,  without  very  great  risk, 
tor  tbat  length  of  time,  but  the  faithful  work  done  by  you  while  your  com- 


Turned  Ox  by  a  Railway  Trackman.  59 

mittoe  was  trying  to  stH-ure  a  fail-  settlemi'ut,  is  beginning  to  give  way.  The 
company's  fast  trains  have  been  abandoned;  their  throngh  passenger  trains 
are  troni  live  to  twenty  hours  late  every  day,  and  things  are  becoming  more 
Interesting  for  the  officials  gt'nerally. 

Although  the  company  has  made  desperate  efforts,  by  their  seductive 
methods,  to  intluence  you  to  degrade  and  defeat  yourselves  bj^  returning  to 
work,  without  having  the  wrongs  you  struck  against  redressed,  they  have  been 
unsuccessful,  except  in  very  few  cases,  in  causing  any  of  the  members  of  the 
order  to  prostitute  their  manhood. 

Our  position  is  stronger  to  day  than  it  ever  has  been.  Notwithstanding  the 
fact  that  the  majority  of  the  newspapers  have  been  publishing  to  the  world 
daily  "The  strike  has  fizzled  out,"  the  boys  are  standing  firm,  and  are  advising 
your  committee  daily  that  they  will  remain  out  six  months  if  necessary,  and 
will  not  return  to  work  unless  the  officials  make  a  fair  settlement,  and  concede 
to  us  the  same  recognition  they  have  accorded  to  all  other  classes  of  its  em- 
ployes. 

According  to  reports  the  company  has  not  been  able  to  secure  any  one 
to  take  our  places  on  at  least  four-fifths  of  the  system,  although  they  have 
been  offering  from  $2.00  a  day  to  $1.00  per  hour  for  men  to  perform  the  work 
we  have  been  doing.  The  few  they  have  employed  are  either  inexperienced 
men,  or  men  who  have  been  blacklisted  on  account  of  incompetency,  drunken- 
ness, dishonesty,  or  other  offences,  and  the  work  done  by  them  will  not  enable 
the  company  to  run  trains  very  long.  They  are  running  hand  cars  up  and 
down  the  road,  thinking  it  will  discourage  the  men  who  have  suspended  work, 
and  cause  them  to  I'eturn. 

We  are  advised  by  a  great  many  men  that  they  are  at  work  receiving 
from  $1.50  to  $2.50  per  day,  and  while,  we  believe,  the  officials  will  realize  the 
folly  of  prolonging  the  contest,  and  that  a  settlement  will  be  reached  in  a  few 
days,  we  will  advise  those  who  are  not  able  to  live  without  working,  to  secure 
employment  elsewhere,  wherever  it  is  possible  for  them  to  do  so,  until  a  fair 
settlement  is  made.  Our  Brotherhood  has  expended  a  great  deal  more  money 
in  the  interests  of  the  C.  P.  R.  maintenance-of-way  men.  than  we  have  con- 
tributed for  the  support  of  the  organization.  Our  president  expresses  a  willing- 
ness to  continue  tlie  figlit  indefinitely,  if  the  men  will  continue  to  prove  them- 
selves worthy  of  the  assistance. 

At  one  or  two  places,  especially  on  the  branch  lines  north  and  west  of 
Toronto,  some  of  the  men  have  been '  deceived  and  persuaded  to  return  to 
work,  by  officials  making  false  representations,  and  telling  them  that  about 
all  of  the  men  on  other  parts  of  the  system  had  deserted  your  committee.  Do 
not  be  influenced  by  men  Avho  must  be  considered  our  enemies  in  this  contest. 
If  you  allow  yourselves  to  be  duped,  and  made  fools  of  by  them,  they  will  not 
have  any  respect  for  you.  and  members  of  other  industrial  organizations  will 
not  consider  us  worthy  of  their  symjiathy.  and  the  public  generally  will  con- 
clude that  the  C.  P.  R.  officials  were  justified  in  taking  the  position  that  main- 
tenance-of-way men  were  too  ignorant  and  cowardly  to  be  dealt  with  like 
other  classes  of  the  world's  workers. 

We  feel  that  things  are  coming  our  way.  In  some  localities  we  are  in- 
formed that  trainmen  have  refused  to  run  trains  at  night,  and  instead  of  their 
declaring  themselves  in  sympathy  with  the  company,  as  stated  in  various  news- 
papers, we  have  received  copies  of  resolutions  passed  at  their  Union  meetings. 


60  THE  CALCIUM  LIGHT 

to  the  effect  that  rhairuieu  of  their  joint  protective  boards  be  instructed  to  take 
such  steps  as  may  be  necessary  to  protect  their  lives,  and  the  lives  of  the  travel- 
ing public. 

We  have  also  been  informed  that  a  committee  is  being  formed  of  members 
of  all  of  the  organizations  composed  of  railway  employes  for  the  purpose  of 
making  an  effort  to  secure  a  fair  settlement  between  the  company  and  its  main- 
tenance-of-^\'ay  men. 

Should  any  one  return  to  work  before  a  settlement  is  reached  they  will 
encourage  the  officials  to  prolong  the  struggle,  therefore  take  courage.  STAXD 
FIIvM,  and  show  by  your  actions  that  you  are  as  capable  of  doing  your  duty 
as  Union  men,  as  any  other  class  of  the  world's  Avorkers. 

The  Deputy  ^Minister  of  Lal)or  at  Ottawa  has  notified  all  immigrant  agents 
at  points  of  entry  to  see  to  it  that  the  Alien  Labor  Law  is  not  violated.  If 
your  government  officials  do  not  do  their  duty,  and  protect  you  against  cheap 
laborers  of  other  nations,  call  on  your  local  officials  to  enforce  the  law,  as  they 
have  been  doing  at  some  places  in  the  West. 

Information  to  hand  informing  us  the  chairmen  of  the  joint  protective 
boards  of  the  other  orders  are  on  their  way  to  Montreal,  and  will  endeavor  to 
bring  about  a  speedy  and  fair  settlement.  Stay  out  until  you  receive  instruc- 
tion to  resume  work,  above  the  written  signature  of  your  chairman  and  bearing 
the  impression  of  the  Grand  Division  Seal  of  the  B.  R.  T.  of  A. 

Yours  in  B.  L.  &  L^..  i 

JOSEPH    LENNOX,    Chairman. 
A.  F.  STOUT,  Secretary. 

July  13  the  following  letter  was  mailed  to  each  member  of  the- 
B.  R.  T.  of  A.  on  the  C.  P.  Ry.  system: 

This  is  the  twenty-seventh  day  since  the  maintenance-of-way  men  on  the 
Canadian  Pacitic  Railway  suspended  work. 

I  regretted  very  much  being  compelled,  in  the  faithful  performance  of  my 
official  duties,  to  sanction  an  order  to  suspend  work.  p]very  means  at  our  com- 
mand was  exhausted  in  an  honorable  way  to  secure  a  fair  settlement  with  the 
company.  Your  committee  were  pi-actically  ignored,  and  the  head  of  your 
organization  proposed  to  the  president  of  the  C.  P.  Railway  company,  to  assist 
in  effecting  an  amicable  adjustment  of  the  men's  differences,  but  was  ignored 
altogether. 

We  have  endeavored  to  prosecute  the  strike  in  an  honorable  way;  our 
opponents  have  resorted  to  all  means  known  to  the  human  mind — fair  and 
foul — to  defeat  you  in  your  manly  efforts  to  obtain  anything  like  a  fair  share 
of  the  wealth  you  are  helping  to  create,  and  your  God-given  right  to  saj'  a 
word  about  the  terms  and  conditions  of  your  employment. 

It  seems  that  the  majority  of  the  large  newspapers  have  been  subsidized 
by  your  opponents  in  this  contest.  Several  columns  are  devoted  to  C.  P.  R. 
despatches  making  statements  that  cannot  be  verified  by  facts.  They  have 
sought  to  deceive  the  public,  and  to  make  all  good  people  believe  that  they  are 
doing  justice  to  their  maintenance-of-way  men,  Ijecause  they  are  not  robbing 
them  of  as  much  of  the  wealth  they  create  as  some  of  the  other  corporations 
in  the  country  are  taking  from  theirs. 

Advices  to  your  committee  show  that  the  company  has  been  offering  men 
ten  dollars  a  day  and  board    in  some  localities  to  take  your  places.     They  hire 


Turned  On  by  a  Raimvay  Trackman.  61 

a  great  many  iucxperionced  rurii  who  rcfuso  to  do  your  work  wln-u  informed 
that  y.ou  are  carrying  on  an  industrial  war  in  favor  of  your  just  rights. 

I  called  upou  two  Italians  in  Montreal  who  had  been  furnishing  men  to  the 
C.  P.  R..  explained  the  situation  to  them,  and  requested  them  not  to  aid  a  giant 
corporation  in  their  efforts  to  oppress  and  degrade  the  poor  laboring  men  of 
the  country.  They  said  the  men  employed  through  their  agencies  l)y  the  C  P.  R. 
were  not  hired  to  take  the  places  of  the  strikers,  in  fact,  it  was  distinctly 
understood  that  they  would  not  take  the  places  of  the  strikers.  They  were  to 
work  for  $1.25  per  day,  including  board  and  lodging,  that  is  to  say,  the  C.  P.  R. 
company  will  paj'  inexperienced  Italians  .$1.25  per  day.  including  board  and 
lodgings  (equivalent  to  $1.75  per  day),  but  they  refuse  to  pay  citizens,  wealth 
producers  and  tax-payers,  $1.50  per  day. 

The  officials  are  bending  every  energy  trying  to  induce  men  who  have  re- 
belled against  oppression  to  surrender  and  submit  to  unjust  treatment. 

Information  has  been  received  from  what  I  consider  a  reliable  source  that 
the  company  has  offered  men  (members  of  our  organization)  one  hundred  dol- 
lars per  month  (more  than  twice  as  much  as  they  have  been  receiving)  to 
resume  work  and  we  are  informed  that  a  few  men  have  yielded  to  temptation 
and  are  going  over  the  road  criticising  your  committee  and  trying  to  influence 
the  men  to  return  to  work  without  having  their  grievances  adjusted.  BEWARE 
OF  BRIBE-GIVERS  AND  BRIBE-TAKERS.  Stand  firm.  Be  men  worthy  of 
the  name,  and  you  will  win  in  this  contest  in  spite  of  all  the  wealth  and  cun- 
ning the  C.  P.  R.  has  at  its  command. 

A  great  deal  has  been  said  aliout  members  of  other  orders  composed  of 
railway  employes  demanding  that  the  C.  P.  R.  make  a  fair  settlement  with 
its  maintenance-of-way  men.  I  do  not  know  whether  the  toilers  in  other 
departments  will  aid  you  in  your  struggle  for  justice  or  not,  but  have  been 
advised  that  the  following  resolution  has  been  passed  at  Union  meetings  at 
various  places  on  the  system: 

'  Resolverl.  tb.at  the  r-onclitions  pxisting  ami  l)ronRht  about  owing  to  the  stopping  of 
work  by  the  employes  of  the  maintenance- of-way  department  are  calexUated  to  endan- 
ger the  personal  safety  of  the  employes  of  the  train  service  and  is  against  the  best 
Interest    of    the    company. 

Therefore,  be  it  resolved  that  we  deplore  the  continuance  of  the  sti-ike,  and  with  a 
view  to  bringing  al)out  ;\  fair  settlement,  we,  the  lirotherhoods  jointly  assembled,  are 
strongly  in  favor  of  conciliating  through  and  by  the  general  chairmen  of  the  five  organiza- 
tions here  represented  and  that  a  copy  of  this  resolution  be  forwarded  to  each  division  or 
lodge  on  the  C.  P.  Ry.  system,  and  that  they  be  and  are  hereby  requested  to  take  such  or 
similar    action.  Signed  on  behalf  of  the  Orders. 

We  were  informed  that  a  delegation  representing  members  of  the  other 
orders  left  Winnipeg  on  the  6th  inst. 

A  correspondent  near  Winnipeg  states:  — 

I  have  been  told  that  Mr.  Pope,  chairman  of  tlie  engineers'  joint  protective  board 
on  the  C.  P.  R..  wrote  to  Mr.  McXicoU  some  lime  ago  aliout  the  strike,  and  it  is  stated 
That  Mr.  MeXicoll  wrote  back  to  him  if  the  engineers  would  come  to  Montreal,  and  in- 
form the  trackmen  that  they  could  not  assist  them,  they  would  do  the  company  a  favor. 
-  I  have  before  me  a  letter  written  to  a  grand  officer  of  one  of  the  Orders  of  railway 
employes,  by  the  chairman  of  their  joint  protective  boanls,  which  reads  in  part  as  fol- 
lows: 

"In  accordance  with  your  instiuctions  of  recent  date.  I  have  communicated  with  the 
different  members  of  the  joint  protective  boards,  and  the  result  of  my  appeal  is  thi.s: 
They  are  all  in  favor  of  meeting  in  Montreal  as  a  conciliation  committee,  with  the  ex- 
ception of  Mr.  Charles  Pope,  general  chairman  of  the  B.  of  L.  E.,  who  does  not  agree 
with   our  views." 


62  THE  CALCIUM  LIGHT 

The  sentiiiu'iits  expressed  may  conform  to  Mr.  Pope's  ideas;  but  engineers, 
with  few  exceptions,  as  well  as  members  of  all  other  orders,  are  in  sympathy 
with  the  maintenance-of-way  men,  Avho  have  been  preserving  their  lives  by 
keeping  the  track  in  safe  running  order  for  many  years. 

Should  the  locomotive  engineers  or  men  employed  in  any  other  department 
ally  themselves  on  the  side  of  the  company,  and  advise  you  through  the  press 
to  discontinue  your  struggle  for  fair  treatment,  as  Avas  done  by  an  engineer  and 
conductor  on  the  Maine  Central  Railway,  treat  them  as  your  enemies.  Do  not 
heed  the  seductive  persuasions  of  well  paid  officials  who  are  trying  to  influence 
you  to  prostitute  your  manhood.  For  many  years  our  craft  have  been  like 
mud-turtles  in  a  pond,  rooti»g  in  the  mud,  scratching  up  worms  for  the  game 
fish  to  feast  upon. 

We  have  reasons  to  believe  that  the  officials  are  not  only  sending  out  incor- 
rect reports  about  the  men  returning  to  work  at  various  places  through  the 
newspapers,  but  that  they  are  sending  bogus  messages  over  the  wires,  pretend- 
ing that  they  were  sent  by  men  notifying  the  company  they  were  going  to 
return  to  work.  One  of  their  lackeys  wrote  me  some  time  ago  saying  if  the 
Order  did  not  pay  him  for  staying  out,  he  would  return  to  work.  We  advised 
him  that  the  men  engaged  in  the  contest  are  fighting  their  battles  and  his  too, 
and  that  if  they  could  not  win  without  resorting  to  bribery  and  deceit,  and 
upholding  men  who  seemed  to  be  devoid  of  character,  we  would  prefer  to  lose. 
Copies  of  the  letter  have  been  printed  and  distributed  all  over  the  road  by  men 
who  are  trying  to  plan  your  downfall,  thinking  it  will  prejudice  all  men  not 
members  of  the  B.  R.  T.  of  A.  against  j^ou. 

Victories  cannot  be  won  without  sacrifices.  Yours  is  a  just  cause.  If  you 
will  stand  firm,  and  do  everything  in  your  power  that  is  honorable  and  reason- 
able, and  not  be  influenced  by  the  advice  of  any  one,  except  your  committee, 
or  men  whom  you  know  to  be  your  friends  and  that  will  aid  you  in  a  manly 
effort  to  secure  more  of  the  necessaries  of  life  for  your  work,  victory  will  crown 
your  efforts. 

Your  cause  is  a  just  one.  Do  right.  Show  by  your  actions  that  you  are 
men  of  determination,  stability,  and  character,  and  the  good  people  of  this 
country  will  aid  j'ou  in  your  struggle  against  oppression. 

Yours  in  B.  L.  &  U., 
JOHN  T.  WILSON,  President  B.  R.  T.  of  A. 

Copies  of  the  above  circular  letter,  with  the  following  letter  en- 
closed, were  sent  to  the  managing  editors  of  the  leading  newspapers 
in  Canada : 

Dear  Mr.  Editor:  You  will  find  enclosed  a  copy  of  a  circular  letter  mailed 
to  all  members  of  the  International  Brotherhood  of  Railway  Trackmen  on  the 
Canadian  Pacific  Railway  system,  explaining  the  true  situation  of  the  strike. 

I  would  be  pleased  if  you  will  publish  it  in  its  entirety  in  the  columns  of 
your  paper. 

The  maintenance-of-way  men  on  the  C.  P.  Railway,  and  their  representa- 
tives, have  worked  earnestly  to  effect  a  peaceable  settlement  with  the  C.  P.  R. 
officials.  We  have  kept  a  complete  record  of  the  negotiations  between  the  com- 
mittee representing  the  maintenance-of-way  men.  and  the  company's  officials, 
and  when  the  history  of  the  strike  is  written  and  published,  I  believe  all  fair- 


Turned  On  by  a  Railway  Trackman.  63 

mindod.   liltorty-loviiig  citizens   wiio   rend   it,    will   hold    the   niiiiiitciiniicc-of-way 
nii'ii  niid   their  rcpreseiitJitives   l)l;uneU'ss. 

1  have  always  been  a  hard  working-  man  and  believe  myself  to  be  conserva- 
tive and  eonsisteut,  and  in  attempting  to  aid  maintenance-of-way  men  on  the  C. 
P.  Kailway  in  an  effort  to  brins  about  better  conditions  for  themselves  and  fam- 
ilies, without  re.i;ard  to  the  miseralile  conditions  surrounding  the  same  class 
of  men  on  other  roads  in  Canada  or  the  United  States,  I  feel  that  I  am  doing 
my  plain  duty  to  my  (Jod  and  my  fellow-man.        Yours  truly, 

JOHN  T.  WILSON,  rres.  B.  R.  T.  of  A. 

Mv.  I),  ramphell,  tliii-d  vice  president  of  the  Order  of  Railroad 

Telej^rapliers,  called  at  the  Grand  Union  Hotel  several  times  during 

the  progress  of  the  strike,  and  becoming  familiar  with  each  phase  of 

the  siruation,  gave  his  views  in  the  following  letter,  a  copy  of  which 

he  mailed  to  the  general  chairmen  of  the  O.  R.  T.,  P..  R.  T.,  O.  R.  C. 

B.  L.  E.  and  R.  L.  F. 

Office  of  the  Third  Vice-rresident.  O.  R.  T., 

Draytou.  Ont..  July  15,  1901. 

Gentlemen  and  Brothers:  Kindly  allow  me  to  address  to  you  a  few  lines 
in  regard  to  the  long-drawn-out  struggle  existing  between  the  maintenance-of- 
way  employes  and  officials  of  the  Canadian  Pacific  company.  Having  watched 
the  actions  of  the  committee  that  have  had  charge  of  the  negotiations,  I  feel 
justified  in  saying  that  I  belie  re  their  affairs  have  been  well  managed,  and 
that  they  are  not  responsible  for  the  present  state  of  affairs.  It  also  appears 
1o  me  that  they  are  not  fighting  the  (\  P.  R.  alone,  but  the  General  Managers' 
Association,  which  makes  it  a  very  unfair  fight. 

"Would  it  not  be  possible,  and  (piite  the  best  thing  to  do,  for  the  general 
chairmen  to  form  themselves  into  a  joint  committee  to  act  as  a  board  of  con- 
ciliation, and  wait  on  the  management  and  endeavor  to  settle  the  dispute? 

I  do  not  understand  how  such  action  could  in  any  way  conflict  with  your 
obligation  to  the  company,  or  in  any  way  weaken  your  own  prestige,  or  that 
of  organized  labor  in  general,  wliile  on  the  other  hand,  it  miglit  be  well  to  con- 
sider what  might  be  the  result  of  a  defeat  to  the  maintenance-of-way  men. 
A>'ould  it  not  be  inviting  the  company  to  show  some  other  organization  the 
same  opposition? 

Several  years  ago  the  O.  I'.  T.  received  just  such  help  as  this,  and  I  am 
not  aware  that  it  injured  any  other  orders,  while  it  was  a  great  assistance  to 
us,  and  we  are  uoav  in  a  position  to  return  help  to  others  if  called  upon.  The 
section  men  have  put  up  a  good  fight,  and  God  knows  their  grievances  are 
well  foiuided. 

Will  be  glad  to  hear  from  you  in  regard  to  this  matter. 

Yours  fraternally,  D.  CAMPBELL. 

Notice  to  the  pnl)lic  issued  July  17: 

On  account  of  so  many  erroneous  statements  being  published  from  time  to 
time  concerning  the  trackmen's  strike  on  the  Canadian  Pacific  Railway  it 
seems  a.  great  many  people  do  not  understand  the  true  situation. 

The  strike  was  orderc^d  by  the  maintenance-of-way  men  thems(dv(>s.  They 
sent  their  committee  to  IMontreal  with  the  understanding  that    if  the  officials 


64  THE  CALCIUM  LIGHT 

declined  to  euter  into  an  agreement  witli  tliem,  setting  forth  tlie  terms  and 
conditions  of  tlieir  employment,  the  committee  ■were  to  notify  the  men  with  the 
understanding  that  a  suspension  of  work  would  take  place. 

The  C.  P.  R.  company  have  entered  into  agreements  setting  forth  the 
terms  and  conditions  of  employment  with  committees  representing  other  classes 
of  its  employes.  If  it  is  wrong  for  them  to  enter  into  an  agreement  with  a 
committee  representing  their  maintenance-of-way  men,  they  did  wrong  in 
signing  agreements  Avith  the  other  committees. 

I  am  called  an  "interloper."  My  position  is  that  of  president  of  an  interna- 
tional organization;  the  members  of  the  organization  are  my  employers.  I 
came  to  Canada  in  obedience  to  their  orders.  The  officers  of  an  international 
organization  have  as  much  right  to  administer  the  affairs  of  the  organization 
as  the  officials  of  the  C.  P.  Ry.  company  have  to  administer  the  affairs  of  a 
road  running  through  Canada,  and  into  the  States.  If  I  have  been  correctly 
informed,  neither  the  president  nor  the  general  manager  of  the  C.  P.  Ry.  com- 
pany were  born  in  Canada.  All  men  should  be  honest,  truthful  and  fair  in 
their  dealings  with  their  fellowmen  without  regard  to  the  place  of  their  birth. 

The  charge  has  also  been  made  that  I  came  to  Canada  and  precipitated  the 
strike  in  the  interests  of  transportation  companies  across  the  line.  I  will  an- 
swer the  charge  by  quoting  an  extract  from  a  letter  written  by  me  to  the 
president  of  the  C.  P.  Ry.  company,  on  the  14th  of  .Tune,  notifying  him  that 
a  suspension  of  work  would  take  place  on  the  morning  of  June  17th,  on  the 
C.  P.  Ry.: 

Although  yon  did  not  consider  my  communication  of  yesterday  of  any  significance,  I 
feel  constrained  to  advise  you  that  an  industrial  upheaval  of  no  small  magnitude  is  lia- 
ble to  take  place  during  the  nest  few  days,  unless  men  of  j'our  station  and  influence 
make  efforts  along  practical  lines  to  avert  it.  There  is  a  strong  suspicion  in  the  minds 
of  men  who  are  conducting  the  affairs  of  industrial  organizations  that  the  members  of 
the  Railway  Managers'  Association  have  entered  into  an  agi-eement  to  make  war  on  in- 
dustrial organizations — more  especially  those  composed  of  railway  emplo.ves.  Mr.  Evans 
(according  to  a  comi-nitteo  representing  members  of  our  organization  on  his  system)  in- 
formed them  of  all  that  took  place  between  your  general  manager  and  our  grievance  com- 
mittee representing  the  maintenauce-of-way  men  on  your  system  during  the  month  of 
April.  He  told  them  what  your  general  manager's  policy  would  be,  which  has  been 
verified  by  his  actions.  *  *  *  I  do  not  claim  perfection  for  Trades  Unions:  they  are  human 
institutions  and  their  oflicers  and  members  often  make  mistakes,  but  they  have  been 
formed  for  the  purpose  of  coping  with  organized  greed  and  for  the  mutual  welfare  of 
participants  while,  in  my  judgment,  the  General  Managers'  Association  has  been  formed 
for  the  purpose  of  oppressing  the  oppressed.  I  am  leaving  for  Portland,  Maine,  at  8 
o'clock  this  p.  m.,  *  *  *  *  a^^j  ^.jn  i-eturn  to  Montreal  on  June  17th.  I  will  do 
everything  in  my  power  that  seems  to  me  to  be  reasonable  and  right  to  bring  about  a 
proper  settlement  on  your  road  as  soon  as  possible.  Your  maintenance-of-way  men  are 
well  organized  and  very  determined.  I  maintain  that  the  public  have  rights  in  these  mat- 
ters that  should  be  considered;  and  am  anxious  to  co-operate  with  those  who  desire  to 
prevent  industrial  disturbances  and  to  keep  the  wheels  of  industry  moving.  When  the 
purchasing  power  of  a  wage-earner's  dollar  is  decreased  so  that  it  will  take  100  cents  to 
purchase  what  SO  cents  would  purchase  two  years  ago,  the  workingman  must  have  a 
corresponding  increase  in  his  wages,  or  adjust  himself  to  a  lower  staudard  of  living — 
one   of   the   two. 

I  maintain  that  the  public  are  entitled  to  safe,  speedy  and  unmolested  trans- 
portation from  the  corporations  holding  public  franchises  without  regard  to 
their  petty  differences  with  their  employes,  and  should  protect  themselves 
against  inconvenience  on  account  of  such  disturbances,  and  if  employer  and 
employe  cannot,  or  will  not  adjust  their  differences,  a  commission  appointed 
by  the  people  and  for  the  people  should  determine  what  is  right  and  proper  In 


TuKNED  On  by  a  Railway  Trackman.  65 

the  way  of  a  settlemont.  and  have  the  two  parties  to  the  controversy  submit 
to  tiie  deeisiou  of  the  conunission  so  appointed. 

A  great  many  misstatements  have  been  made  and  publislied  in  the  various 
newspapers  of  the  country  whieh  were  calculated  to  mislead  the  public.  The 
day  after  the  strike  was  inaugurated  (June  18tli)  according  to  Montreal  news- 
papers, the  general  manager  stated  tliat  altout  all  of  the  men  had  returned  to 
work,  and  that  the  "strike  liad  fizzled  out,"  etc. 

In  a  despatch  from  Winnipeg  on  the  16th  of  July,  according  to  the  Mon- 
treal Daily  Witness,  the  general  manager  of  the  C.  P.  It.  states:  "It  seems 
a  strange  thing  that  a  wliole  body  of  men  can  be  kept  from  their  work  and 
the  wherewithal  to  buy  their  daily  bread  by  a  parcel  of  men  forming  a  com- 
mittee." 

According  to  reports  received  by  the  Montreal  committee  very  few  meo 
have  returned  to  work,  and  wrecks  have  occurred  at  various  places  along  the 
line  from  St.  John  to  Vancouver  on  account  of  track  not  being  looued  after 
by  competent  men.  Tlie  public  are  advised  through  the  press  that  the  track  is 
being  patrolled  regularly  and  kept  in  safe  running  condition.  I  have  been  in- 
formed from  a  source  which  I  consider  reliable,  that  one  of  the  general  super- 
intendents secured  passes  for  his  wife  and  children,  from  the  Canada  Atlantic 
Railway  Co.,  from  Ottawa  to  Montreal,  on  13th  inst.,  instead  of  sending  them 
over  the  C.  P.  R. 

The  committee  has  received  reports  to  tlie  effect  that  C.  P.  R.  detectives: 
have  been  arrested  and  locked  up  for  attempting,  at  the  point  of  revolvers,  to 
compel  men  to  worlc  against  their  will. 

Yesterday  a  report  was  received  that  a  C.  P.  R.  detective  had  killed  an 
Italian  workman  for  refusing  to  go  to  work.  I  wired  Port  Arthur  regarding 
the  matter,  as  follows:  "Did  C.  P.  R.  detective  kill  Italian  workman  for 
refusing  to  work?  Report  particulars  by  wire."  The  following  message  was. 
received  in  reply:  "C.  P.  detective  wounded  Italian  laborer  at  Heron  Bay 
for  refusing  to  go  any  further  on  tlie  train  to  work.     Will  write  particulars."' 

The  time  to  be  truthful  is  all  the  time;  the  place  to  do  right  is  everywhere, 
and  the  people  to  be  dealt  fairly  with  are  all  the  people.  Men  were  not  made 
to  serve  dollars;  dollars  were  made  for  the  use  of  men.  Proprietors  of  news- 
papers believing  that  civilized  methods  should  be  adopted  for  the  settlement  of 
differences  between  employer  and  employe,  and  those  who  believe  in  putting 
"British  fair  play"  into  practical  operation,  are  requested  to  publish  this  state- 
ment. JOHN  T.  WILSON,  President  B.  R.  T.  of  A. 

CHAPTER  VII. 
CHARLES   POPE. 

Charles  Pope,  chairman  of  the  engineers  on  the  C.  P.  Ry.  system, 
took  exception  to  the  reference  made  to  his  actions  in  a  letter  issued 
on  the  13th  of  July  by  the  president  of  the  B.  R.  T.  of  A.,  as  is  shown 
by  the  following  letter: 

Winnipeg,  Man.,  July  19,  1901. 
Mr.  John  T.  Wilson.  President  R.  R.  T.  of  A. 

Dear  Sir:  I  see  by  the  published  report  of  your  general  circular  of  13th 
inst.,  that  you  credit  me  with  being  opposed  to  the  plan  of  conciliation  by  the 


66  THE  CAI^CIUM  LIGHT 

general  chairman  of  the  five  organizations,  or  at  least  your  circular  is  so 
worded  as  to  convey  that  impression  to  the  members  of  your  Order  and  the 
general  public. 

Allow  me  to  say  that  I  have  always  been  in  favor  of  the  plan  of  concilia- 
tion proposed  by  the  members  of  my  own  and  the  other  organizations,  and  in" 
co-operation  with  :Mr.  A.  Shaw  of  the  O.  R.  C,  and  Mr.  Johns  of  the  B.  R.  T. 
I  have  spent  a  week  in  this  city  endeavoring  to  induce  Mr.  McNicoU  to  accept 
the  services  of  the  proposed  conciliatory  Ijoard. 

The  only  difference  of  opinion  between  myself  and  the  other  general  chair- 
men Avas  on  a  pure  matter  of  detail,  the  other  gentlemen  wishing  to  proceed 
to  Montreal  forthwith,  while  I  wished  to  obtain  the  consent  of  Mr.  McNicoll 
and  yourself  for  the  proposed  committee  to  act,  before  going  to  the  expense  of 
convening  the  same. 

I  hope  it  will  not  be  asking  too  much  if  I  request  you  to  set  this  matter 
light  in  your  next  general  circular.  Yours  truly, 

CHAS.  POPE,  B.  of  L.  B.  General  Chairman  C.  P.  R.  System. 

P.  S. — Please  reply  to  me  at  Rat  Portage.  Ont. 

In  reply  to  the  above  the  following  letter  was  sent  to  Mr.  Pope: 

Montreal.  July  24,  1901. 
Mr.  Charles  Pope,   General  Chairman.  B.  L.  E.,  C.  P.   R.   System. 

Dear  Sir:  Your  favor  of  the  19th  inst.  has  been  received  and  contents 
duly  noted. 

Tlie  sentiments  expressed  in  your  letter  seem  to  be  a  verification  of  the 
position  taken  by  you  which  was  outlined  in  a  circular  letter  issued  by  me 
under  date  of  July  13th,  1901. 

I  cannot  think  of  any  valid  reason  why  you  should  consult  Mr.  McNicoll. 
myself,  or  any  one  else,  to  find  out  whether  or  not  .vou  should  carry  out  instruc- 
tions from  the  members  of  your  organization.  Mr.  McNicoll  is  only  one  indi- 
vidual. The  present  conflict  between  the  C.  P.  Railway  company  and  its 
mainteuance-of-way  men  is  affecting  at  least  twenty  thousand  men.  women 
and  children,  whose  support  depends  upon  the  wages  received  by  those  em- 
ployed in  the  mainteuance-of-way  department.  The  lives  of  several  thousands 
of  employes  engaged  in  operating  trains  are  being  jeopardized,  and  the  inter- 
ests of  several  hundreds  of  thousands  of  an  innocent  public  are  being  im- 
paired. 

The  struggle  between  the  maintenance-of-way  men  and  the  C.  P.  R.  officials 
has  l)eeu  going  on  for  more  than  five  weeks.  With  few  exceptions,  the  men 
are  as  determined  to  secure  a  fair  settlement  before  returning  to  work  as  they 
were  when  they  suspended  work.  If  you  desire  to  dignify  labor,  and  to  show 
the  public  generally  that  industrial  organizations  are  useful  institutions  and 
stand  for  advancement,  a  higher  standard  of  citizenship,  and  progress,  I  think 
you  should  co-operate  with  the  chairmen  of  other  joint  protective  Iwards  in  a 
practical  and  consistent  way,  to  bring  the  parties  to  the  controversy  together, 
and,  if  possible,  effect  a  fair  settlement. 

Mr.  McNicoll's  actions  in  this  struggle  indicate  that  he  is  far  from  being 
a.  practical  railroad  man.  It  seems,  he  imagines  railroads  grow,  and  that  it 
does  not  require  men  of  experience  to  keep  them  in  safe  running  order.  A  fair 
settlement  of  the  maintenance-of-way  men's  differences  would  relieve  him. 
benefit  the   stockholders,   relieve   the   members   of  our  organization    and    their 


Turned  On  by  a  Railway  Trackman.  67 

families,  insure  the  safety  of  your  own  life,  and  the  life  of  every  man  engaged 
in  the  train  service,  and  prove  a  blessing  to  the  public  generally. 

I  cannot  understand  wliy  a  man  in  your  position,  if  he  had  the  interests  of 
toilers  and  wealth-producers  at  heart,  should  quibble  and  delay  taking  action, 
more  especially  as  you  have  received  requests  from  so  many  of  your  own 
co-workers. 

We  have  on  tile  copies  of  resolutions  passed  at  meetings  of  men  engaged 
in  operating  trains  in  which  tliey  state  their  occupations  are  too  precarious  to 
follow  under  existing  circumstances.  Anything  you  can  and  will  do,  to  aid 
our  committee  in  bringing  about  a  fair  settlement  Avith  the  C.  P.  R.  company 
will  be  appreciated.  Yours  fraternally, 

JOHN  T.  WILSON.  Tres.  B.  R.  T.  of  A. 

By  this  time  Mr.  Pope,  it  seems,  imagined  that  the  time  had  come 
to  make  himself  famous,  and  in  order  to  gain  notoriety  he  rushed  into 
print,  and,  with  the  aid  of  the  C.  P.  Ky.  officials,  succeeded  in  having 
the  following  inspiring  (!)  document  published  in  all  the  leading  news- 
pai)ers  of  the  Dominion: 

Sir:  1  noticed  in  the  published  account  of  President  AYilson's  circular, 
July  13th,  to  the  striking  maintenance-of-way  men  that,  owing  to  h  misappre- 
hension of  the  facts,  he  conveys  to  them  the  impression  that  I  was  not  in 
favor  of  the  proposed  plan  of  conciliation  by  the  general  chairmen  of  the  five 
railway  organizations. 

I  wish  to  correct  this  wrong  impression  and  to  say  that  I  have  always 
favored  the  proposed  plan  of  conciliation  which  was  suggested  to  me  by  a  large 
number  of  the  engineers  by  letters  and  resolutions  of  joint  meetings. 

The  only  difference  of  opinion  between  the  other  general  chairmen  and 
myself  was  as  to  the  best  mode  of  procedure  in  carrying  out  the  expressed 
wish  of  our  members,  the  other  chairmen  in  the  west  wishing  to  go  to  Montreal 
forthwith  to  offer  their  services,  while  I  thought  it  was  best  to  obtain  the 
consent  of  the  vice-president  of  the  C.  P.  K.  and  President  Wilson,  of  the 
Brotherhood  of  Railway  Trackmen  of  America,  for  the  proposed  committee 
to  act,  before  putting  the  sevei'al  general  chairmen  to  the  expense  of  convening 
in  Montreal;  thus  you  will  see  that  my  reason  for  not  going  to  Montreal  at 
once  was  a  pure  matter  of  detail,  but  as  President  Wilson  was  not  aware  of 
this  fact,  he  naturally  concluded  I  did  not  wish  to  act. 

The  fact  that  I  have  spent  a  week  in  this  city  with  Mr.  A.  Shaw,  of  the 
Order  of  Railway  Conductors,  and  Mr.  A.  .lohns.  of  the  Brotherhood  of  Railway 
Trainmen,  in  an  endeavor  to  obtain  permission  for  the  proposed  board  of  con- 
ciliation and  mediation  to  act,  should  be  conclusive  proof  of  what  my  views 
are  in  regard  to  the  proposition  of  concilation. 

I  regret  that  it  has  become  necessary  for  me  to  refer  to  certain  disagreeable 
features  which  have  developed  in  one  or  two  districts  where  the  present  strug- 
gle is  going  on  between  the  Canadian  Pacific  Railway  and  its  striking  mainte- 
nance-of-way men.  but  as  some  of  our  engineers,  in  the  faithful  discharge  of 
duty  have  been  brought  into  the  very  jaws  of  death  by  the  recent  attempts 
to  wreck  trains,  I  feel  that  it  is  my  duty  to  point  out  to  the  striking  trackmen 
the  dangerous  position  into  wlu<-ii  their  organization  is  being  forced  by  the 
criminal  acts  of  what  I  believe  to  l)e  misguided  sympathizers  with  tlieir  cause; 
the  engineers  have  through  myself  been  doing  all  that  could  be  done  to  bring 


68  THE  CALCIUM  LIGHT 

about  an  amicable  settlement  of  the  present  trouble,  but  how  can  they  expect 
us  to  continue  our  good  offices  if  they  allow  our  men  to  be  run  into  death  traps 
set  by  evil  disposed  persons  right  under  their  very  eyes. 

•In  contests  which  have  taken  place  in  the  past  between  railway  companies 
and  the  older  organizations,  the  strikers  have  sometimes  pursued  tactics  of 
various  kinds  which  were  calculated  to  hinder  the  movement  of  trains,  and 
cause  annoyance  and  sometimes  loss  to  the  railways,  these  things  have  been 
looked  upon  by  many  of  the  public  with  more  or  less  indifference  as  they  are 
generally  expected  and  regarded  as  the  natural  features  or  incidents  accom- 
panying a  railway  strike.  The  most  radical  and  violent  elements  of  the  older 
organizations  have,  however,  always  drawn  back  appalled  at  the  mere  sug- 
gestion of  any  act  Avhich  would  in  any  manner  jeopardize  the  lives  of  either  their 
fellow  employes  or  the  traveling  public,  and  realizing  that  the  honor  and  wel- 
fare of  their  organizations  were  at  stake,  they  have  not  been  satisfied  with 
holding  themselves  aloof  from  any  act  liable  to  cause  injury  or  loss  of  life,  but 
have  been  prompt  and  energetic  in  handing  over  the  train  wreckers  and  all, of 
their  ilk  to  be  dealt  Avith  by  the  strong  arm  of  the  law. 

I  should  be  sorry  to  believe  that  men  whom  we  have  worked  beside  for 
years,  could,  without  our  giving  them  any  cause  for  offence,  so  deliberately 
plot  against  our  lives,  for  the  sake  of  mere  pecuniary  gain;  but  it  is  clearly 
apparent  that  there  are  sympathizers  with  their  cause  who  should  be  consid- 
ered in  all  communities  as  the  worst  and  most  dangerous  of  the  criminal  classes 
and  who  should  be  looked  upon  by  every  upright  and  law-abiding  citizen  as 
a  common  enemy;  and  while  we  feel  that  the  maintenance-of-way  men's  hands 
are  clean  as  to  the  actual  acts  of  criminal  nature,  yet  they  should  bear  in 
mind  the  fact  that  in  the  present  case  their  responsibility  and  duty  to  both 
their  organization  and  the  public  by  no  means  ends  with  holding  themselves 
aloof  from  such  acts  as  trainwrecking. 

They  must  remember  that  their  fellow-employes  and  the  public  are  of  the 
opinion  that  they  can  exert  a  powerful  influence  over  the  acts  of  those  sym- 
pathizers of  evil  intent,  and  we  are  looking  to  the  maintenance-of-way  men 
to  exert  that  influence  in  a  practical  and  vigorous  manner.  Otherwise  the 
responsibility  of  the  train  wreckers'  acts  will  lie  at  the  door  of  the  strikers. 

In  closing,  I  wish  to  say  to  the  trackmen  that  the  reputation  of  their  organ- 
ization is  at  stake  and  if  they  do  not  wish  to  go  on  record  as  giving  countenance 
to  acts  of  violence  which  will  ere  long  arouse  the  indignation  of  every  lionor- 
able  law-abiding  workingman  in  the  community,  it  is  time  that  they  put  forth 
every  effort  to  bring  the  train  wrecker  to  justice. 

On  some  parts  of  the  system  I  am  informed  that  the  strikers,  being  alive 
to  the  necessity  of  protecting  their  own  interests  and  the  reputation  of  their 
organization,  have  constituted  themselves  a  guard  to  foil  the  attempts  of  train 
wreckers  and  tliose  who  would  bring  upon  them  the  condemnation  of  the  com- 
munity. 

This  is  a  wise  step,  and  one  which  has  often  been  taken  by  the  older 
organizations  in  times  of  trouble,  as  they  realize  that  no  organization  which 
has  to  bear  the  ignominy  of  such  acts  can  very  long  sustain  life  in  any  well 
ordered  law-abiding  community. 

The  older  railway  organizations  and  the  public  will  not  be  satisfied  with 
a  denial  of  all  knowledge  of  who  have  committed  these  acts,  by  the  mainte- 
l)ance-of-way  men    in   the  districts   where  attempts   to   wreck    trains   have   oc- 


TuRNKD  Ox  Bv  A  Railway  Trackman.  69 

ciUTod:  what  we  expect  from  tliciu  is  inmiediak'  aud  dcliuiii'  ad  ion  and  prac- 
tical results  ill  exposiug  the  guilty. 

(Sigued)     ("HAS.    POPE, 
General  Cliairinan  ('.  P.  U.  System  Brotherhood  of  Locomotive  Engineers. 
Winnipeg.  July  22.  1901. 

The  trackmen's  representatives  refused  to  discuss  the  above 
article.  The  tenor  of  the  letter  showed  clearly  that  the  writer  had  no 
interest  in  the  welfare  of  the  trackmen.  However,  one  of  their  sym- 
pathizers answered  the  challenge,  as  follows: 

POPE   CHARLES"   ENCYCLICAL. 


A  Railroader  Deals  Witb  the  Open  Letter  of  the  Chairman. 


The  following  letter  originally  appeared  in  the  Vancouver  W.orld,  but  the 
writer  reciuests  insertion  in  The  Voice.  The  open  letter  that  Mr.  Pope  ad- 
dressed to  the  press  in  .July,  while  generally  condemned  all  over,  has  met  with 
particular  denunciation  in  the  west,  and  we  think  rightly  so.  The  railway 
company  had  it  printed  as  a  circular  and  widely  distributed,  and  its  production 
by  officials  to  back  up  some  of  their  specious  stories  has  been  extremelj'  galling 
to  the  men: 
To  the  Editor  of  The  Voice: 

Sir:  At  Winnipeg,  in  the  province  of  Manitoba,  and  on  the  22nd  day  of 
July  last,  there  was  issued  from  under  the  aegis  of  the  fallible  Pope  Charles, 
who  by  the  grace  of  the  brethren,  rules  over  the  temporal  and,  evidently  in 
his  opinion,  spiritual  destinies  of  the  employes  of  the  C.  P.  R.,  an  encyclical 
addressed  to  the  world  at  large.  Charles  sits  on  a  throne  stuffed  with  wool 
waste.  He  is  surpliced  In  blue  cotton  duck,  such  as  our  Chinamen  on  the 
Pacific  coast  use!  his  ample  brow  is  crowned  witb  a  tiara  made  out  of  an  old 
paper  bag.  Thus  sits  Charles  Pope  on  his  woolsack  prepared  to  throttle  the 
demands  of  his  subordinates.  He  is  always  ready  to  open  the  release-valves 
or  blow-off  cock  in  order  to  release  himself.  And  when  that  blow-off  cock  is 
blowing  and  fussing  and  vaporing  no  voice  can  be  heard  above  the  terrible 
din.  but  the  sonorous  growl  or  stentorian  notes  of  Charles  Pope.  From  this 
throne  he  issues  his  edicts  and  fists,  but  never  a  prayer  except  when  he  im- 
agines he  sees  a  bogle  on  the  road. 

In  his  encyclical  above  referred  to  he  counsels  his  recalcitrant  followers  to 
be  careful  in  moving  along  the  crooked  highway.  He  adjures  them  to  abstain 
from  forcing  him  to  act  in  the  present  critical  emergency,  because  he  "holds 
a  difference  of  opinion  as  to  the  mode  of  procedure."  And  to  deprive  him  of 
that  sweet  morsel  would  be  a  terrible  shock  to  his  nervous  system,  which 
might  necessitate  the  use  of  an  injector.  To  the  infidel  trackman  he  admin- 
isters a  stern  rebuke  for  his  departure  from,  what  he  considers,  the  path  of 
moral  rectitude  in  presuming  to  ask  for  bread  commensurate  to  his  bodily 
requirements!  He  designates  this  poor  employe  as  a  "wrecker  of  trains"  and 
a  "plotter"  against  the  lives  of  honest  men.  In  order  to  give  force  and  piquancy 
to  his  denunciatory  declamation  he  draws  out  his  elastic  imagination  to  the 
fullest  possible  extent — another  stretch  like  this  one.  I  fear,  will  make  it  snap 
and  break  to  the  permanent  hurt  and  injury  of  its  owner.  From  his  throne, 
perched  on  infernal  mechanism,  he  casts  a  wistful  glance  over  the  buffer  beam 


70  THE  CALCIUM  LIGHT 

along  the  highway  of  life;  he  beholds  wrecks  heing  eousumed  iu  fierj^  abj'sses; 
meu  digging  pits  of  destructiou  for  the  faithful  to  fall  into;  rails  torn  up  and 
twisted  out  of  shape  by  the  grinning  spectre  of  the  starved  trackmen;  he 
beholds  destruction  and  deviltry  running  riot,  arm  in  arm,  along  our  national 
highway;  he  sees  his  brethren  plunging  headlong  "into  the  very  jaws  of 
death.""  All  this  is  a  perfect  realization  in  the  calm  and  collected  mind  of 
Charles  Pope,  who,  by  some  supernatural  power,  is  able  to  run  a  train  every 
day  in  the  week  over  and  through  these  terrible  scenes  of  anarchy  and  destruc- 
tion in  perfect  safety!  Charles  Pope  is  no  common  mortal!  "Whence  and 
what  art  thou?"  l\ye.  he  is  mortal,  for  do  you  not  see  him  wipe  his  forehead 
with  cotton  waste,  the  property  of  his  employer,  which  he  does  not  scruple  to 
use  instead  of  a  square  of  turkey  red  cotton  at  ten  cents  each.  That's  Charles 
Pope,  huge  and  portentious  in  size,  who  accuses  the  poor,  ill-fed,  ill-clothed, 
because  ill-paid,  trackmen,  of  the  most  diabolical  deeds. 

The  men  he  endeavors  to  besmirch  would  not  stoop  even  to  harbor  the 
thoughts  of  evil  Charles  Pope  alone  is  capable  of  conceiving!  The  foul  deeds 
he  attributes  to  the  trackmen  have  no  foundation  outside  his  own  imagiuation. 
Assertions  are  not  facts.  Mr.  Pope.  I  venture  even  to  assert  that  Mr.  Pope 
cannot  prove  his  assertion  and  bring  his  charge  home  to  the  trackmen. 

The  writer  of  this  letter  has  no  desire  to  try  and  disabuse  the  mind  of 
Charles  Pope,  general  chairman  of  the  E.  S.  from  the  "notions'"  he  entertains.  I 
am  too  well  aware  that  iu  this  case  it  is  beyond  human  power.  The  man  who 
harbors  "notions'"  is  the  most  obdurate  of  mortals.  Therefore  it  is  my  present 
aim  to  deny  in  toto  the  vile  charges  enunciated  by  Charles  Pope  against  my 
fellow  workmen. 

That  some  of  the  trackmen  have  been  indiscreet  in  their  conduct  cannot 
be  denied,  but  crimes  of  the  nature  charged  have  yet  to  be  proved  outside  of 
Pope's  brain,  and  I  feel  sure  that  in  the  face  of  existing  circumstances  the 
exemplary  conduct  of  the  meu,  the  vile  charges  will  be  repelled  with  the  con- 
tempt they  and  their  author  so  thoroughly  deserve.  Instead  of  doing  malicious 
injury  to  the  company  the  strikers  have  in  many  cases  rendered  assistance  to 
the  company  for  humanity's  sake.  The  trackmen  are  well  satisfied  with  their 
position  and  they  are  proud  of  it;  they  do  not  deny  having  had  a  few  "black 
sheep"  and  ".Tudases"  among  them,  but  these  have  either  been  weeded  out  or 
"captured"  by  the  enemy.  Where  is  the  flock  that  has  no  black  sheep  or 
weak-kneed  ewe?  Mr.  Pope  can  readily  remember,  if  he  is  not  wilfully  for- 
getful, that  there  were  a  few  blacks  among  his  own  fraternity  in  days  gone  by 
and  Mr.  Pope  in  the  goodness  of  his  heart  may  have  visited  Stoney  Mountain 
to  see  "an  old  ciium"  perched  on  a  pile  of  stones  perforce  the  arm  of  the  law 
for  his  own  and  country's  good.  You  know  why  he  sat  there,  Mr.  Pope,  but 
you  did  not  in  the  flow  of  inspiration  which  prompted  you  to  issue  your  encycli- 
cal consider  at  heart  this  knowledge. 

The  trackmen  have  today  some  of  their  very  best  and  staunchest  friends 
among  the  engineers  who  desire  a  speedy  settlement  of  the  difficulty,  and  this 
would  be  effected  if  Mr.  Pope  did  not  entertain  a  difference  of  opinion  between 
himself  and  them.  This  "difference  of  opinion"  is  the  obstacle  in  the  way. 
And  you.  Mr.  Pope,  are  willing,  for  the  mere  sake  of  gaining  a  petty  point,  to 
alloAV  some  of  your  brothers  to  go  into  "the  very  jaws  of  death!"  Oh,  con- 
sistency!    Mr.  Pope,  are  you  a  stranger  to  this  virtue? 

Mr.   Pope  avers  that  the   trackmen   have  deliberately  plotted  against  his 


Turned  On  by  a  Railway  Trackman.  71 

own  and  brother  eugiuoors'  lives.  A  fouler  or  baser  charge  could  uot  be  cou- 
<:eived.  We  deplore  the  allegation  for  the  sake  of  those  he  represents,  and  we 
feel  sure  his  Utter  has  uot  the  approval  of  the  general  body  of  engineers.  It 
it  not  necessary  for  the  traclvineu  to  have  recourse  to  "criuiiual  acts  for  pecun- 
iary gains,"  the  very  simple  process  of  turning  "scab"  or  worse  still,  "scab  in 
disguise"  would  bring  flsh  to  the  net.  The  strikers  have  not  perpetrated  acts  of 
violence,  such  as  is  charged  against  them.  The  public  know  tliat  there  is  a 
small  wire  stretching  across  the  continent  that  could  be  easily  severed  at  many 
vulnerable  points  to  the  utter  discomtiture  of  the  company.  Even  tliat  has 
been  left  untouched.  Every  trackman  is  absolutely  and  strictly  required  to 
conduct  himself  within  the  bounds  of  law  and  reason. 

Probably  Mr.  Pope  may  have  been  communing  alone  with  his  conscience 
on  some  lonely  isle  of  the  Lake  of  the  Woods,  or  while  perched  on  some  jutting 
crag  above  some  waterfall  at  Keewatin,  and  made  the  discovery  that  he  was 
not  yet  prepared  to  take  his  departure  to  the  "other  side  of  Jordan,"  his  imagin- 
ation became  fickle  and  painted  to  him  the  other  world  which  is  to  be  his,  in 
more  lurid  and  glaring  colors  than  he  cared  to  look  upon,  hence  his  imaginary 
"wrecks"  and  dark  "plots." 

I  can  hardly  allow  myself  to  credit  Charley  Pope,  my  old  friend,  Avith  the 
matter  or  construction  of  this  letter,  as  in  my  humble  opinion  it  has  a  specific 
object  cunningly  inserted  in  the  context.  How  a  letter  of  its  style,  composition 
and  nature,  could  emanate  from  the  hand  of  Pope,  is  more  than  1  can  divine. 
It  would  do  credit  to  the  general  manager  of  the  C.  P.  Ry.,  but  it  certainly 
reflects  no  credit  on  Charley  Pope,  who,  through  it,  has  fallen  from  Pope  with 
a  heavy  thud  to  common  bellman. 

Kelative  to  the  actions  of  Mr.  Tope,  the  Voice,  of  July  2G,  says 

editorially: 

*  *  *  *  Engineer  Charles  Pope  deserves  an  extended  notice  only  be- 
cause his  contribution  filled  the  first  column  (page  one)  of  the  Free  Press  on 
Tuesday  last,  thus  securing  a  wide  notice.  *  *  *  Mr.  Pope  begins  by  taking 
exception  to  the  terms  of  President  Wilson's  circular  of  July  13th  which  was 
a  well-drawn,  inspiring  document,  and  was  well  received  and  endorsed  by  the 
brotherhoods  and  the  public.  In  the  next  paragraphs  ]Mr.  Pope  tries  and  tries 
in  vain  to  explain  his  extraordinary  conduct  in  failing  to  fulfill  the  clear  man- 
date laid  upon  him  by  the  united  brotherhoods,  he  fences  and  wiggles  but  he 
cannot  get  away  from  the  plain  fact  that  when  the  Inigle  note  of  duty  i-ang 
out  the  place  assigned  to  Charles  Pope  was  empty.  Had  he  filled  it  and  done 
his  duty,  all  concerned  might  have  been  in  happier  and  more  harmonious  mood 
today.  *  *  *  (Here  follows  Mr.  Pope's  explanation  of  why  he  did  not  pro- 
ceed to  [Montreal,  etc.,  when  requested  by  members  of  his  order,  which  is 
printed  above.)  To  assume  that  President  Wilson  was  possibly  averse  to 
friendly  intervention  was  a  gratuitous  affront  to  a  kindred  Brotherhood  and. 
moreover,  an  invention,  being  contrary  to  the  avowed  attitude  of  the  ti'ack- 
men's  representatives,  and  to  wait  foi-  the  consent  of  the  vice-president  of  the 
C.  P.  R.  indicates  a  lack  of  confidence  in  the  strength,  and  a  narrow  concep- 
tion of  the  duties  of  the  great  railroad  brotherhoods,  together  with  a  timid 
deference  to  the  pompous  and  autocratic  methods  of  corporation  magnates, 
which  stamps  Engineer  Pope  in  this  regard  at  least  as  being  uot  a  very  valiant 
son  of  labor.     Does  the  company  or  any  other  corporation   making   its  huge 


72  THE  CALCIUM  I.IGHT 

profits  out  of  human  labor  observe  this  delicate  puuctilio  iu  dealing  with  the 
victims?    No,  nor  is  it  required. 

There  is  doubtless  a  right  and  a  wrong  way  to  conduct  a  strilie,  and  neither 
now  nor  ever  have  we  counseled  defiance  nor  anything  but  orderly  and  regular 
methods  of  presenting  the  claims  of  labor,  but  Mr.  Pope's  excuses  are  trifling 
and  finicliing,  and,  we  would  add,  uuAvorthy  of  him.     *     *     *     * 

Engineer  Pope  has  a  good  job  and  quite  naturally  and  justifiably  wants 
to  keep  it,  and  he  is  impatient  of  any  interruption  of  his  comparative  prosperity, 
and  so  writes  a  good  loyal  letter,  which,  so  far  as  it  goes,  is  far  more  in  the 
interests  of  the  C.  P.  K.  than  the  trackmen.  Like  thousands  more  witli  a  fair 
wind  on  their  (piarter,  Charles  Pope  has  no  objection  whatever  to  trackmen 
being  better  paid,  and  would  perhaps  really  like  to  see  it,  but  taking  any 
risk  or  making  any  exertion  or  sacrifice  is  quite  another  proposition. 

Labor's  struggle  iu  the  past  and  the  looming  Waterloos  in  the  future  call 
for,  and  will  produce,  more  valiant  champions  than  Charles  Pope. 

CHAPTER  Vin. 
GENERAL  CHAIRMEN  TAKE  A  HAND. 

On  Jnly  18  the  cliaii-inan  of  the  trackman's  committee  sent  the 

following  letter  to  Messrs.  Charles  Pope,  B.  L.  E.,  Rat  Portage,  Ont.; 

W.  H.  Allison,  O.  R.  T.,  70  Melbourne  St.,  Toronto,  Ont.;  A.  W.  Johns, 

B.  R.  T.,  4(M;  Fouseca  St.,  Winnipeg,  Man.;  G.  K.  Wark,  B.  L.  F.,  71 

Cameron  St.,  Toronto,  Ont.: 

Montreal.  July  18,  1901. 

Dear  Sir  and  Brother:  Tliis  is  the  fifth  week  since  the  maintenance-of-way 
men  on  the  Canadian  Pacific  Railway  suspended  work. 

We  have  been  notified  of  resolutions  being  passed  at  Union  meetings  held 
at  various  p?j»ces  by  members  of  other  railway  orders,  reiiuesting  the  chairmen 
of  the  joint  protective  boards  to  convene  in  Montreal  to  act  as  a  concibation 
committee  in  an  effort  to  effect  a  settlement  betAveen  the  C.  P.  Railway  com- 
pany's ofticials,  and  the  maintenance-of-way  men.  ^ye  have  also  been  notified 
by  members  of  other  orders  that  they  consider  their  personal  safety  involved 
and  then-  occupations  too  precarious  to  follow  under  existing  circumstances. 

My  object  in  writing  is  to  inform  you  that  we  are  not  opposed  to  any 
one  who  thinks  us  worthy  of  assistance,  in  our  efforts  to  secure  a  fair  settle- 
ment. 

"Were  the  chairmen  of  the  joint  protective  boards  of  the  other  orders  in  Mon- 
treal, they  could,  no  doubt,  through  their  influence,  bring  the  officials  of  the 
company  and  the  representatives  of  the  maintenance-of-way  men  together, 
which  will  enable  them  to  determine  whether  the  maintenance-of-way  men  or 
the  company  is  entitled  to  their  sympathy.  Some  of  our  members  have  been 
evicted  from  the  company's  houses  and  compelled  to  move  their  families  into 
barns.  Under  such  embarrassing  circumstances  they  admonish  us  to  stand 
firm  until  matters  are  settled  right. 

You  will  find  enclosed  a  copy  of  a  notice  to  the  public  from  our  president, 
by  which  you  will  see  he  is  not  opposed  to  outside  parties,  provided  they  are 
fair-minded,  suggesting  what  is  right  and  proper  under  the  circumstances. 

Yours  fraternally. 
JOSEPH  LENNOX,  Chairman  Committee. 


Turned  On  by  a  Railway  Trackman,  73 

No  reply  was  received  to  I  he  above  letter  from  any  of  llif  parties 
to  whom  it  was  addressed. 

July  19,  the  following  letter  was  mailed  to  each  member  of  the 
B.  K.  T.  of  A.  on  the  C.  P.  Ry.  system: 

We  wish  to  send  you  a  word  of  greeting.  We  know  tbe  stream  of  false- 
hood from  the  otticial  side  never  ceases,  and  all  means  known  to  human  ingen- 
uity are  beuig  used,  to  bring  you  back  to  work.  A  few,  a  very  few,  have 
weakened  under  the  combined  intiuences  of  threats,  promises,  tlattery,  bribes 
and  lies,  the  rest  are  standing  tirm  as  the  Rock  of  Gibraltar,  so  that  from 
St.  John  to  Vancouver,  there  are  not  today  a  dozen  foremen  at  work,  who 
were  at  work  the  day  before  the  strike  was  called. 

Even  north  and  west  of  Toronto  where  the  company  assert  the  strike  is 
over,  a  large  proportion  of  the  men  are  still  unfaltering  in  their  support  of  the 
committee,  and  on  the  Owen  Sound  brancli,  nine  gangs  who  had,  as  they  assert, 
been  induced  by  false  representations  to  go  to  work,  sent  in  their  resignations 
again  on  Monday  morning,  .July  15th,  and  joined  their  striking  brothers  and 
say  they  will  support  your  committee  to  the  end. 

Brothers,  we  want  you  to  notice  they  have  not  replaced  us  by  one  sober, 
competent  trackman,  and  they  are  hardly  trying  to  do  so,  knowing  that  the 
skill  to  replace  us  is  not  in  the  country,  nor  available  under  such  circumstances 
as  now  prevail  on  the  C.  P.  K.  Members  of  other  orders  have  informed  us 
that  they  consider  their  personal  safety  is  involved  and  their  occupations  too 
precarious  to  follow  under  existing  circumstances.  The  public  is  also  becoming 
alarmed  and  will  not  submit  to  the  present  state  of  affairs  on  the  C.  P.  Railway 
much  longer.  The  ofhcials  are  bending  all  their  energies  to  seduce  you  from 
the  allegiance  you  pledged  to  your  committee,  knowing  that  their  only  chance 
of  replacing  you  is  to  have  you  replace  yourselves.  We  verily  believe  a  settle- 
ment would  have  been  effected  ere  now  had  the  babies  who  weakened  been 
like  you  men  who  are  getting  the  respect  of  all  who  value  honor  and  pluck,  by 
your  manly,  steadfast  adherence  to  the  committee  who  represent  you. 

Our  advices  from  ocean  to  ocean  show  our  men  standing  quietly,  but  firmly, 
and  urging  your  committee  to  be  equally  tirm;  the  public  sentiment  against 
allowing  men  of  the  character  who,  only,  will  knowingly  take  our  place  is  so 
strong,  that  the  company's  special  policemen  have  to  use  their  revolvers  to 
keep  4:hem  at  work,  two  men  reported  as  having  been  shot  in  their  desperate 
effort  to  escape  from  a  train  in  which  they  were  being  taken  to  work. 

The  track  is  fast  getting  to  the  stage  at  which  the  running  of  trains  will 
be  impossible,  and  we  can  only  say  you  have  the  whole  thing  in  your  own 
hands,  you  cannot  be  done  without  much  longer,  and  can  only  be  replaced 
by  yourselves. 

The  attempt  to  prejudice  you  against  your  committee  still  goes  on  unceas- 
ingly. We  are  represented  as  being  fools,  unable  to  discuss  the  grievances  of 
the  trackmen,  simply  able  to  say,  "Here  is  our  schedule,  sign  it."  It  is  con- 
stantly reported,  we  have  thrown  up  the  sponge  and  gone  home.  Take  no 
stock  in  any  of  these  yarns.  We  will  stay  till  we  get  the  agreement  you  sent 
us  to  secure,  believing  we  now  have  men  behind  us  with  the  stamina  to  say, 
".V  fair  agreement  or  we  quit  the  service  forever." 

The  stream  of  abuse  of  President  Wilson  is  also  steadily  kept  up.  He  is 
represented  as  being  here  to  create  disturbances  in  the  interests  of  other  trans- 


74      •  THE  CALCIUM  LIGHT 

poitatioii  companies.  Agaiu  he  is  an  alien,  au  Amerieau,  aud  witli  uo  rights 
iu  this  affair.  We  are  ghid  you  are  above  being  dui)ed  by  any  of  these  silly 
attempts  to  create  distrust  of  either  your  committee  or  your  chief.  Their  ob- 
jection to  Mr.  Wilson  is  that  he  has  proven  himself  a  match  for  the  officials  of 
the  C.  r.  K.,  and  a  most  valuable  aid  to  your  committee.  We  claim  the  same 
right  to  hire  the  best  man  available  to  help  us  fight  our  battles,  without  regard 
to  nationality,  that  the  C.  P.  It.  has  to  engage  a  man  to  manage  C.  P.  R. 
affairs.  Again  warning  you  against  any  aud  every  attempt  to  bring  you  back 
to  work  till  you  are  properly  notified  by  our  chairman,  and  assuring  you  every 
SLich  going  back  prolongs  the  struggle.        Yours  in  B.  L.  &  U., 

JOSEPH   LENNON,   Chairman. 
A.   F.   STOUT,   Secretary. 

July  24,  Mr.  M.  Dolphin,  president  of  the  Order  of  Railroad  Teleg- 
raphers, arj'ived  in  Montreal,  called  upon  the  maintenance-of-way 
men's  representatives,  and  suggested  that  the  following  message  be 
sent  to  the  general  chairmen  of  the  B.  L.  E.,  B.  L.  F.,  O.  R.  C.  and 
B.  R.  T.: 

Montreal,  .July  24,  1901. 
Chief  executives  firemen's,  trainmen's  aud  telegraphers*  organizations  have 
suggested   iu    commuuicatious    to   our   presideut    that    their   respective   general 
chairmen  act  as  mediators  in  pending  strike.    If  agreeable  wheu  can  you  attend 
conference?  JOSEPH  LENNON,  Chairman  Committee. 

The  following  replies  were  received : 

Toronto,  Ont.  July  24,  1901. 
J.  Lennon,  Grand  Union  Hotel. 

Can  leave  here  tonight   (Wednesday)   by  No.  6  for  Montreal. 

W.   H.  ALLISON. 

Rat  Portage,  Out.,  July  24,  1901. 
J.  Lennon,  Chairman  Committee. 

Have  explained  to  Grand  Chief  Conductor  Clark  action  already  taken.  If 
instructed  by  him  will  act  at  once.  A.  SHAW. 

Rat  Portage,  Out.,  July  24.  1901. 
J.  Lennon,  Grand  Union  Hotel,  Montreal. 

Have  spent  over  a  week  in  Winnipeg  trying  to  get  consent  for  conciliatory 
committee  to  act.  whenever  company  and  your  committee  both  willing,  I  will 
act  without  delay.  CHAS.  POPE. 

Mr.  W.  H.  Allison,  general  chairman  of  the  O.  R.  T.,  arrived  in 
Montreal  on  the  evening  of  the  25th  of  July,  and  on  the  morning  of  the 
2Gth  sent  the  following  messages : 

Montreal,  July  26,  1901. 
A.  Shaw,  Rat  Portage,  Ont. 

Will  you  come  to  Montreal  and  act  Avith  general  chairmen  of  trainmen,  fire- 
men and  telegraphers,  in  effort  to  settle  strike.     If  so  when? 

W.  H.   ALLISON. 


Turned  On  by  a  Railway  Trackman.  75 

Montreal,  July  26,   1901. 
Geo.   K.   Wark,  51  ("amcroii   St..   Toronto,   Out. 

Will  you  come  to  Moutreal  and  act  with  general  chairmen  of  trainmen  and 
telegraphers  in  effort  to  settle  strike.     If  so,  when  can  you  come? 

W.   H.   ALLISON. 

A.  W.  Johns,  406  Fouseca  St.,   Winnipeg,  Man. 

Will  you  come  to  Montreal  and  act  with  general  chairmen  of  firemen  and 
telegraphers  in  effort  to  settle  strike.     If  so,  when?  W.  H.  ALLISON. 

July  2G  the  following  letter  was  sent  to  all  members  of  the  B.  R. 
T.  of  A.  on  the  C.  P.  By.  system: 

We  take  pleasure  in  advising  yon  that  the  determination  of  the  men  all 
along  the  line  to  stand  firm  until  matters  are  settled  right,  appears  to  be  as 
strong,  if  not  stronger,  than  it  was  one  week  after  the  suspension  of  work  took 
place. 

The  officials  are  making  a  desperate  struggle  to  defeat  us.  We  believe  they 
are  receiving  assistance  from  outside  parties,  possibly,  from  all  of  the  railway 
companies  on  the  North  American  Continent.  One  of  our  members  has  in- 
formed us  that  a  superintendent  on  the  Kingston  &  Pembroke  road  hired  a 
foreman  and  thirty  men  to  work  for  the  C.  P.  R.  They  Avere  to  receive  more 
wages  than  the  company  were  asked  to  pay  by  your  committee,  and  were  told 
that  the  strike  on  theC.  P.  K.  had  been  settled,  but  when  advised  to  the  con- 
trary, they  refused  to  work.  They  have  hundreds  of  inexperienced  men,  mostly 
Italians  and  aliens,  walking  up  and  down  the  track  trying  to  convince  the  public 
that  your  places  have  been  filled.  It  is  said  they  do  not  do  any  work  to  amount 
to  anything  and  are  receiving  more  w^ages  than  we  received  for  rendering 
faithful  service  while  working  for  the  company. 

It  is  possible  that  other  roads  are  furnishing  money  to  the  company  to 
carry  on  this  struggle,  thinking  that  if  the  C.  P.  R.  can,  through  their  assist- 
ance, defeat  us.  It  will  take  the  'heart'  out  of  the  maintenance-of-way  men  on 
all  other  roads,  and  prevent  them  from  ever  ^making  an  effort  to  bring  about 
improved  conditions  for  themselves  and  families.  "Truth  crushed  to  earth 
Avill  rise  again,"  and  "you  cannot  keep  a  good  man  down." 

The  numerous  misstatements  published,  and  the  unfair  tactics  adopted  by 
the  officials  are  enough  to  make  any  self-respecting  man  blush  with  shame. 
In  the  beginning  of  the  strike  they  seduced  and  degraded  R.  C.  Montgomery, 
caused  him  to  desert  our  cause,  to  turn  traitor,  and  to  aid  them  in  an  effort 
to  defeat  us.  They  then  had  so  little  respect  for  him  as  to  cause  his  actions 
to  be  published  in  the  newspapers,  which  made  it  necessary  for  us  to  make 
an  explanation,  in  a  general  circular  issued  July  4th,  1901.  The  following  is 
a  copy  of  a  letter  which  each  member  of  your  committee  and  president  re- 
ceived:— 

Montreal,  July  22,  1901. 
McGlhbon,   Casgrain,   Ryan  &  Mitchell,   Canada  Life  Building. 
L.— Mr.  J.  T.  Wilson,  Grand  Union  Hotel,  Montreal. 

Sir:— We  are  in  receipt  of  instructions  from  Mr.  R.  C.  Montgomery,  of  Ottawa,  Ont., 
to  notify  you  that,  in  a  circular  dated  July  4th,  1901,  and  headed,  "Headquarters  of  the 
Joint  Protective  Board,  Grand  Union  Hotel,  Montreal,"  he  has  been  grossly  libelled  and 
defamed. 

The  references  to  our  client  are  not  only  false  and  malicious,  l)ut  have  caused  him 
serious  injury,  and  have  subjected  himself  and  his  family  to  humiliation  and  auuoyance. 


76  THE  CALCIUM  LIGHT 

jSIoreoTer  liis  relations  witli  the  men  over  whom  and  with  whom  he  is  employed  have 
been  and  arc  likely  to  be  seriously  prejudieed  by  this  defamatory  publication,  nnless 
contradicted. 

"We  have,  therefore,  to  notify  you,  as  one  of  those  responsible  for  the  publication  and 
circulation  of  the  offensive  sheet,  that  the  statements  made  therein  with  respect  to  Mr. 
Montgomery   must   be  at   once   withdrawn   and    a    proper    apology    tendered. 

After  submission  to  us  the  retraction  must  be  given  the  same  publicity  by  you  and 
your  associates  as  the  original   libel,   and  such  other  publicity   as  we  may  deem  fit. 

Unless  this  is  at  once  done,  we  shall  advise  Mr.  Montgomery  not  only  to  cause  your 
apprehension  on  a  charge  of  criminal  libel,  under  the  Criminal  Code  of  Canada,  but  to 
institute   Civil  proceedings  against   you,   before  the  Superior  Court   for  damages. 

Pray   give  this  your  immediate  attention. 
Your  obedient   servants, 
(Signed)  McGIBBON,  CASGRAIN,  RYAN  &  MITCHELL. 

Brothers,  we  are  British  subjects;  we  are  not  cowards  and  will  not  be 
frightened,  nor  swerved  from  duty.  Had  a  British  officer  who  aided  in  con- 
ducting the  siege  at  Ladysmith  during  the  South  African  war  deserted  the 
British  flag,  and  became  an  aid  to  the  'Krugerites,'  and  had  a  firm  of  lawyers 
undertaken  to  defend  him,  every  Britisher  living  under  and  protected  by  the 
British  flag  with  a  spark  of  patriotism  in  his  heart  would  have  said  that  the 
deserter  (the  traitor),  and  his  defenders  deserved  to  be  court-martialed  and 
shot  through  their  backs  without  right  of  clergy.  If  there  is  any  one  thing 
more  than  another  the  people  of  Canada  despise  it  is  a  'traitor.'  And  those  who 
attempt  to  defend  him  deserve  to  be  treated  with  the  same  contempt.  Some 
people  say  money  cau  do  everything,  but  the  principles  of  honest  men  cannot 
be  purchased.  Although  corporations  with  unlimited  amounts  of  money  at  their 
disposal  have  many  mercenaries,  we  expect  to  win  in  our  efforts  to  secure 
a  fair  settlement  with  the  C.  P.  R. 

Members  of  other  organizations  composed  of  railway  employes  on  the 
C.  P.  R.  have  instructed  their  general  chairmen  to  act  as  a  "conciliatory  com- 
mittee" and  to  aid  in  bringing  about  a  fair  settlement  between  the  company 
and  its  maintenance-of-way  men.  It  has  been  stated  that  the  general  chairmen 
of  all  of  the  orders,  Avith  the  exception  of  Mr.  Pope,  (chairman  of  the  engineers), 
are  anxious  to  come  to  -Montreal  to  imdertake  the  task.  The  chief  executives 
of  the  B.  L.  F.,  B.  R.  T.  aud  O.  R.  T.,  have  suggested  that  their  general  chair- 
men act  as  mediators.  The  following  is  a  cop.v  of  a  message  sent  to  all  the 
general  chairnten  on  the  24th  inst.,  by  our  chairman: 

Chief  executives  firemen's,  trainmen's  and  telegraphers'  organizations  have  suggested 
in  communications  to  our  President  that  their  respective  general  chairmen  act  as  media- 
tors in  pending  strike,  if  agreeable,  when  can  you  attend  conference? 

Mr.  Pope's  reply  to  the  above  message  is  as  follows:  — 

Have  spent  over  a  week  in  Winnipeg  trying  to  get  consent  for  conciliatory  committee 
to  act.    Wlienever  company  and  your  committee  are  both  willing  I  will  act  without  delay. 

He  also  states  in  a  letter  to  our  president,  dated  July  19th: 

The  only  difference  of  opinion  between  myself  and  the  other  general  chairmen  was  on 
n  pure  matter  of  detail,  the  other  gentlemen  wishing  to  proceed  to  Montreal  forthwith, 
wliile  I  wished  to  obtain  the  consent  of  Mr.  McNicoll  and  yourself  for  the  members  of 
the  committee  to  act. 

If  the  general  manager  of  the  C.  P.  R.  and  the  representatives  of  the 
maiiiteuance-of-way  men  were  both  inclined  to  make  a  fair  settlement  they 
M'ould  have  averted  the  trouble  in  the  first  place  by  doing  their  own  "conciliat- 
ing." Possibly,  Mr.  Pope  may  be  able  to  explain  the  position  taken  by  liira, 
to  the  satisfaction  of  engineers  who  requested  him  to  act  in  defence  of  their 


Turned  On  by  a  Railway  Trackman.  77 

lives,  and  tu  the  im-uihers  of  other  organizations  composed  of  railway  employes, 
but  we  fail  to  see  any  consisteuey  in  tlie  stand  he  lias  talien. 

Some  may  euqnire:  What  can  a  "conciliation  committee"  do  without  being 
requested  to  act  by  l)Oth  parties  to  the  controversy. 

The  general  chairmen  of  the  other  railway  orders  on  the  C.  P.  R.  with  the 
prestige  of  their  respective  organizations,  certainly  could  do  much  towards 
effecting  a  fair  settlement  if  they  desire  to  do  so. 

They  could  say  to  the  general  manager  of  the  C.  P.  R.  company  and  to 
the  representatives  of  the  maintenance-of-way  department  employes  on  said 
road:  You  are  not  the  only  people  who  are  being  affected  on  account  of  this 
controversy.  The  public  have  rights  that  both  of  you  are  bound  and  should 
be  compelled  to  respec-t.  They  could  then  say  to  the  general  manager;  Your 
company  has  admitted  that  we  represent  fair-minded  men,  by  entering  into 
agreements  with  them  pertaining  to  wages,  terms  and  conditions  of  employ- 
ment. Now  sir.  we  will  endeavor  to  arrive  at  a  conclusion  as  to  which  party 
to  the  controversy  is  entitled  to  our  sympathies  and  to  the  sympathies  of  the 
public.  If  you  people  are  disposed  to  make  a  fair  settlement  for  the  benefit 
of  the  stockholders,  for  the  protection  of  our  lives,  the  lives  of  all  the  men  we 
represent,  for  the  relief  of  both  parties  to  the  controversy,  and  for  the  con- 
venience of  the  public,  we  are  anxious  to  aid  you  in  determining  what  is  right 
and  proper  under  the  circumstances,  and  if  either  party  refuses  to  accept  our 
good  offices,  the  public  will  quickly  deternaiue  whether  the  C.  P.  R.  or  the 
maintenance-of-way  men  are  entitled  to  their  sympathies. 

Large  aggregations  of  wealth,  with  their  combined  influences,  are  opposing 
the  maintenance-of-way  men  on  the  C.  P.  R..  in  this  contest,  but  we  are  not 
cowards,  we  are  soldiers,  and  will  continue  the  struggle  in  a  fair  and  square 
way.  Mercenaries  for  corporations  will  resort  to  anything  imaginable  to  defeat 
honest  workingmen  in  an  honest  cause.  Last  summer  the  Transit  Company's 
men  were  on  strike  in  Missouri.  The  company  had  an  army  of  detectives  em- 
ployed. One  of  them  desiring  to  have  himself  styled  a  "hero"  and  to  secure 
permanent  employment  from  the  company,  at  good  wages,  decided  to  blow 
up  a  l)ridge  at  a  time  when  some  of  the  strikers  were  near-by,  capture  two 
or  three  of  them,  and  prove  them  guilty  of  the  crime  done  by  himself.  He  was 
caught  placing  dynamite  in  the  structure  by  the  civil  authorities.  After  being 
arrested  he  made  a  confession  and  exposed  his  scheme. 

Boys,  we  know  you  are  law-abiding  citizens,  honest,  hard-working  men, 
and  do  not  believe  any  of  you  would  be  guilty  of  endangering  life,  destroying 
property,  or  permit  others  to  do  so  if  you  could  prevent  it.  Be  as  "wise  as 
serpents  and  as  harmless  as  doves,"  and  do  not  allow  C.  P.  R.  mercenaries  to 
get  you  or  any  of  your  fritmds  into  trouble.  The  longer  the  siege  and  the 
harder  the  battle,  the  more  glorious  the  victory  will  be.  AVe  want  a  fair  settle- 
ment with  the  C.  P.  R.  and  must  have  it  or  leave  the  service  of  the  company 
forever. 

We  would  again  call  your  attention  to  the  closing  paragraph  of  our  circular 
of  the  10th  .Tune.  1901.  which  we  will  again  (luote  for  your  guidance: 

"If  your  committee  fails  to  nuike  a  settlement,  and  trouble  is  forced  upon 
you,  maintain  your  manhood,  continue  to  be  honest,  hard-working,  law-abiding 
citizens,  as  you  have  been  in  the  past,  and  the  good  people  of  the  Dominion  of 
Canada  will  aid  you  in  your  struggles  to  redress  the  wrongs  that  have  been, 
and  are  now  being  imposed  upon  you."        Yours  in  B.  I>.  &  U.. 

.lOSKPII    LENNOX.   Chairman. 
A,   F.    STOUT.   Secretary. 


78  THE  CAIvCIUM  LIGHT 

G.  K.  Wark  arrived  in  Montreal,  and  after  discussing  the  situa- 
tion with  W.  H.  Allison  and  the  trackmen's  representatives,  the  fol- 
lowing message  and  letter  were  sent  to  each  of  the  other  general  chair- 
men, on  July  30: 

(Message.) 
We  believe  general  chairmen  sbonld  meet  and  hear  from  both  sides  to  the 
controversy  and  recommend  what  should  be  done  to  relieve  all  concerned.     Will 
you  come  to  Montreal  and  act  with  us? 

W.  H.  ALLISON,  Chairman  O.  K.  T. 
G.  K.  WARK,   Chairman  B.  L.  F. 

(Letter.) 

Dear  Sir  and  Brother:  Union  meetings  have  been  held  at  various  places 
along  the  line  of  the  C.  P.  Railway,  and  participated  in  by  the  members  of 
the  B.  L.  E.,  B.  L.  P\,  B.  R.  T.,  O.  R.  T..  and  O.  R.  C. 

The  members  of  the  five  railway  orders  above  referred  to  have  sent  us 
copies  of  resolutions  instructing  the  general  chairmen  of  the  several  orders  to 
act  as  a  "conciliator}^  committee"  in  an  effort  to  effect  a  settlement  between 
the  C.  P.  Railway  officials  and  the  maintenance-of-way  department  employes. 

We  will  enclose  a  copy  of  a  circular  issued  at  Winnipeg,  dated  July  19, 
1901,  bearing  the  names  of  Charles  Pope,  A.  Shaw,  and  A.  W.  .Johns. 

According  to  tlie  contents  of  the  circular  above  referred  to,  the  three  gen- 
eral chairmen  (whose  signatures  are  thereto  attached)  suggested  terms  for  a 
settlement.  The  maintenance-of-way  men's  committee  contend  that  they  have 
not  had  an  opportunity  to  present  their  side  of  the  case  to  any  of  the  general 
chairmen.  However,  they  express  a  willingness  to  do  so.  The  instructions  re- 
ceived by  us  were  signed  by  men  representing  the  five  railway  organizations, 
and.  we  believe,  we  should  meet  in  Montreal  where  the  general  offices  of  the 
C.  P.  Railway  company  are  located,  and  in  the  city  where  the  maintenance-of- 
Avay  men's  committee  are  stopping,  and  give  both  sides  to  the  controversy  an 
opportunity  to  submit  such  matters  as  they  may  deem  proper,  after  which  we 
may  be  able  to  suggest  something  that  will  help  both  sides  to  the  controversy 
out  of  the  difficulty. 

Speaking  for  the  members  of  our  own  organizations.  We  do  not  believe 
they  will  be  pleased  with  the  actions  of  their  general  chairmen  without  we 
proceed  along  the  lines  above  suggested. 

AVe  came  to  Montreal  in  obedience  to  the  instructions  of  our  members,  and 
will  be  pleased  to  co-operate  with  the  other  general  chairmen  in  an  eft"ort  to 
restore  harmonious  relations  between  the  Canadian  Pacific  Railway  officials 
and  their  maintenance-of-way  department  employes. 

W.  H.  ALLISON,  Chairman  O.  R  T. 
GEO.  K.  WARK,  Chairman  B.  L.  F. 

The  messages  sent  to  the  general  chairmen  of  the  Brotherhood  of 
Locomotive  Engineers  and  the  Order  of  Railway  Conductors  by 
Messrs.  Wark  and  Allison  were  sent  through  the  (/Ireat  Northwestern 
Telegraph  Comi)any.  According  to  Mr.  Allison's  statement,  a  few 
minutes  after  the  messages  had  been  sent  he  received  a  summons  over 
the    telephone  to  go  to  the  general  offices  of  the  C.  P.  Ry.  company. 


Turned  On  by  a  Railway  Trackman.  79 

When  he  arrived  there  the  officials  exhibited  a  verbatim  copy  of  the 
message  he  had  just  transmitted  over  the  wires  of  the  Great  North- 
western. 

Mr.  Wark  left  for  his  home  in  Toronto  with  the  understanding 
that  he  would  return  in  a  day  or  two. 

August  1  the  following  letter  was  mailed  to  each  member  of  the 
B.  R.  T.  of  A.  on  the  C.  P.  Ry.  system: 

The  following-  resolutions,  passed  at  a  Union  meeting  participated  in  by 
the  members  of  B.  L.  F.,  O.  R.  T.,  B.  R.  T.,  O.  R.  C.  and  B.  L.  E.,  are  self- 
explanatory: — 

To  the  Local  LodKOS  of  B.  L.  E..  B.  L.  F.,  O.  R.  C,   B.  R.  T.,  and  O.  R.  T.:— 

At  ii  joint  nu'i'ting  of  thf  above  organizations  tlio  following  resolntions  were  adopted 
unanimously,  and  -endorsed  by  the  Local  Lodges  of  the  organizations  above  mentioned, 
and  the  committee  whose  signatures  are  attached  hereto,  are  appointed  to  forward  a 
copy  of  same  to  all  other  lodges,   and  request   them   to  take  prompt  and   similar  action: 

Whereas,  There  appears  to  be  no  prospeet  of  an  early  settlement  regarding  the  diffi- 
culty between  the  Canadian  Pacific  Railway  Co.  and  its  striking  mainteuance-of-way  men; 

And  Whereas,  Said  strike  has  continued  during  the  past  six  weeks,  and  the  Canadian 
Pacific  Railway  have  been  apparently  unable  to  procure  a  sufficient  number  of  men  to 
keep  the  roadbed  in  its  normal  condition; 

And  Whereas,  The  only  apparent  reason  for  the  continuance  of  the  strike  is  the  de- 
termination of  the  Canadian  Pacific  Railwa.v  Company  to  refuse  recognition  to  the  Broth- 
erhood of  Railway  Trackmen: 

And  Whereas,  Said  refusal  of  recognition  of  said  organization  is  a  denial  to  the 
members  thereof,  of  representation,  and  is  also  a  blow  aimed  at  the  basic  principles  of 
organized   labor,   justice   and    natural    rights; 

And  Whereas,  The  Canadian  Pacific  Railway  Company  have  refused  the  good  offices 
of  the  general  chairmen  of  the  B.  L.  E.,  O.  R.  C,  and  P..  R.  T.,  and  as  said  refusal  doth 
clearly  show  that  the  responsibility  of  the  continuance  of  the  strike  rests  solely  with  the 
Canadian   Pacific   Railway   Company;  V 

And  Whereas,  The  employes  in  train  service  are  being  put  to  unnecessary  annoyance 
and   their   lives  jeopardized; 

Therefore  be  it  resolved.  That  this  meeting  of  the  five  Brotherhoods,  joinfl.y  assembled, 
do  hereby  instruct  the  general  chairmen  of  the  said  Brotherhoods  to  proceed  at  once  to 
the  highest  officials  of  the  Canadian  Pacific  Railway  Company,  and,  if  necessary,  also  to 
the  Dominion  Government,  and  in  each  instance  to  forcefully  place  before  both  the  pre- 
valent condition  of  affairs,   and  strongly  press  for  an  immediate  settlement  of  the  strike. 

Resolved,  That  the  Brotherhoods  here  jointly  assembled,  do  guarantee  to  compensate 
the  several  chairmen  vrhile  engaged  in  carrying  out  the  provisions  of  the  attached,  as 
provided  for  in  the  laws  governing  the  organizations  to    which   they    belong. 

A  cop.v  of  these  resolutions  to  be  forwarded   to  the  general  chairmen. 
[Note. — The  names  of  the  committee  signing  the  above  resolutions,  as  well 

as  the  place  of  meeting,  are  withheld  to  avoid  blacklisting.     The  original  copy 

is  in  my  possession.] 

The  general  chairmen  of  the  B.  L.  F.  and  O.  R.  T.  are  in  Montreal.     They 

sent  the  following  message  to  the  general  chairmen  of  the  other  orders:  — 

We  believe  general  chairmen  should  meet  and  hear  both  sides  to  the  controversy,  and 
recommend  what  should  be  done  to  relieve  all  concerned.  Will  you  come  to  Montreal  and 
act  with  us?  W.   H.   ALLISON,   Chairman  O.    R.   T. 

G.  K.  WARK,   Chairman  B.   L.  F. 

Your  chairman,  secretary  and  myself  have  been  arrested  on  a  charge  of 
criminal  libel.  The  charge  was  made  by  R.  C.  Montgomery,  and  is  based  upon 
information  concerning  hiji  actions,  given  to  you  on  .July  4. 

It  is  clear  to  my  mind  that  the  Canadian  Pacific  Railway  company  is  hedg- 
ing behind  Montgomery.     I  was  told  three  weeks  ago  that  the  advisability  of 


80  THE  CALCIUM  LIGHT 

having  me  arrested  was  being  considered  at  the  general  offices  of  the  Canadian 
Pacific  Railway  company,  on  the  charge  of  inciting  men  to  destroy  property.  A 
few  days  after  I  was  informed  that  the  company  had  decided  to  place  Mont- 
gomery between  themselves  and  your  organization  and  have  me  arrested.  On 
the  morning  of  July  31st,  I  was  advised  through  a  party  who  frequently  visits 
the  general  offices  of  the  Canadian  Tacific  Railway  company,  tliat  the  officials 
had  sent  for  Montgomery,  and  that  your  chairman,  secretary  and  myself  would 
be  arrested  in  the  afternoon.  This  information  proved  to  be  true,  the  arrests 
having  been  made. 

The  Brotherhood  of  Railway  Trackmen  having  funds  on  hand,  and  a  few 
feai'less  friends  living  in  Montreal  not  wearing  C.  P.  R.  collars,  who  came  forward 
and  executed  bonds,  are  the  only  things  that  prevented  your  president,  chair- 
man and  secretary  from  being  locked  in  cells  prepared  for  criminals. 

Will  you  uphold  the  C.  P.  R.  company  and  its  mercenaries,  in  their  unscrup- 
ulous actions,  or  will  you  declare  your  souls  your  own.  and  support  those  who 
are  fighting  your  battles  in  an  honorable,  manly  and  law-abiding  way? 

Brothers,  you  can  decide  for  yourselves  whether  the  C.  P.  Railway  officials 
or  Montgomery    are  prosecuting  your  president   and  committeemen. 

Any  maintenance-of-way  man  who  will  continue  to  work  for  the  C.  P. 
Railway  company,  under  the  circumstances,  and  until  your  grievances  are 
properly  adjusted  and  the  charges  against  your  grand  officer  and  committee- 
men are  withdrawn,  is  an  enemy  to  organized  labor  and  a  traitor  to  justice. 

Yours  in  B.  L.  &  U., 

JOHN  T.  WILSON,  Pres.  B.  R.  T.  of  A. 

When  Mr.  Wark  returned  to  Montreal  he  stated  that  while  in  To- 
ronto he  was  called  to  the  long-distance  telephone  and  requested  to 
speak  to  C.  W.  Spencer,  general  superintendent,  at  Montreal,  who  in- 
formed him  that  the  president  of  the  Trackmen's  Brotherliood  had  is- 
sued a  statetnent,  dated  August  i,  over  his  (Mr.  Warlc's)  signature, 
and  asked  him  if  he  had  seen  a  copy  of  it.  He  replied  that  he  had  not. 
Mr.  Spencer  then  proceeded  to  read  the  statement.  ^Mien  he  had 
finished  reading,  Mr.  Wark  asked  him  whose  name  was  affixed  to  the 
document.  He  replied,  "John  T.  Wilson,  but  your  name  is  on  the 
circular  also."  He  then  advised  Mr.  Wark  to  denounce  the  president 
of  the  Trackmen's  Brotherhood  for  using  his  name  without  authority. 

^Ir.  Allison  and  Mr.  Wark  stated  that  during  the  conferences 
with  the  C.  P.  Ry.  officials  they  were  urged  to  return  to  their  homes; 
that  the  manager  had  met  the  other  chairmen  in  Winnipeg,  explained 
matters  to  their  satisfaction,  and  they  were  not  going  to  Montreal. 

August  8  the  chairmen  of  the  B.  L.  E.  and  O.  R.  C.  arrived  in 
Montreal. 

Mr.  M.  M.  Dolphin,  president  of  the  O.  R.  T.,  had  returned  to  Mon- 
treal and  was  stopping  at  the  Grand  Union  Hotel.  When  informed 
that  representatives  of  the  other  orders  were  in  Montreal  and  would 
try  and  effect  a  settlement  between  the  company  and  its  maintenance- 


Turned  On  by  a  Raii^way  Trackman.  81 

of-way  men,  and  upon  being  leciuested  to  aid  in  bringing  the  contend- 
ing factions  together,  he  proceeded  to  the  office  of  the  president  of  the 
C.  P.  Ry.  conijmny  and  obtained  his  consent  for  the  chairmen  to  act  as 
conciliators.  He  then  returned  to  the  Grand  Union  Hotel,  sought  an 
interview  with  the  chairmen,  and  after  discussing  matters  for  some 
time,  sent  for  the  jiresident  of  Hie  B.  K.  T.  of  A.,  who  arrived  in  the 
committ(^e  room  and  met  representatives  of  the  other  orders,  and  Mr. 
Dolphin.  Mr.  Dolphin  stated  that  the  chairmen  of  the  other  orders 
had  come  to  Montreal  in  response  to  the  wishes  of  the  members  of 
their  organizations,  to  try  and  effect  a  settlement  between  the  com- 
pany and  its  maintenance-of-way  nietn;  that  he  had  called  upon  the 
president  of  the  C.  P.  Ry.  company  and  he  h-a-d  agreed  to  accept  the 
chairmen  of  the  other  orders  as  conciliators.  He  then  asked  the 
president  of  the  B.  R.  T.  of  A.  if  he  would  accept  the  services  of  the 
chairmen  as  conciliators.  The  president  of  the  B.  R.  T.  of  A.  replied 
that  the  maintenance-of-way  men  had  a  committee  present  whose  mem- 
bers should  be  consulted  and  their  wishes  respected  in  the  matter. 
Mr.  Dolphin  replied:  "The  chairmen  of  the  other  orders  are  not  ex- 
pected to  deal  with  under-strappers.  Your  committee  and  minor  offi- 
cials of  the  road  have  consumed  too  much  time  trying  to  effect  a 
settlement.  These  gentlemen  propose  doing  business  with  the  heads 
of  the  C.  P.  Ry.  company  and  the  Trackmen's  Brotherhood.  Will  you 
accept  the  chairmen  of  the  other  orders  as  conciliators?"  On  being 
answered  in  the  affirmative,  Mr.  Dolphin  stated  that  the  conciliation 
committee  should  review  the  negotiations  between  the  C.  P.  Ry.  offi- 
cials and  the  maintenance-of-way  men's  committee,  in  order  to  find  out 
what  differences  existed  between  the  company  and  the  trackmen  be- 
fore trying  to  arrive  at  a  basis  of  settlement  satisfactory  to  both  par- 
ties to  the  controversy. 

Mr.  Dolphin  and  the  president  of  the  B.  R.  T.  of  A.  then  withdrew; 
the  chairmen  proceeded  to  form  themselves  into  a  "conciliation  com- 
mittee,'' and  to  outline  a  course  of  procedure. 

On  the  morning  of  August  9  the  conciliation  committee  and  the 
maintenance-of-way  men's  representatives  met  in  joint  session  at  the 
Grand  Union  Hotel.  The  president  of  the  B.  R.  T.  of  A.  reviewed  the 
work  of  the  maintenance-of-way  men's  committee,  reading  all  corres- 
pondence relative  thereto.  He  then  addressed  the  conciliation  com- 
mittee and  stated  that  in  attempting  to  make  a  settlement  between  the 
officials  of  the  company  and  the  maintenance-of-way  men  they  were 
assuming  a  great  responsibility,  and  he  would  do  anything  reasonable 
and  right  to  assist  them  in  their  undertaking.  Mr.  Pope,  chairman 
of  the  conciliation  committee,  then  requested  the   president   of  the   B. 


82  THE  CAIvCIUM  LIGHT 

R.  T.  of  A.  to  prepare  a  basis  of  settlement  that,  in  liis  judgment, 
would  be  fair  to  the  trackmen,  whereupon  he  Avas  handed  a  copy  of 
the  schedule  prepared  in  April  by  the  maintenance-of-way  men's  rep- 
resentatives and  handed  to  the  officials  of  the  company.  The  presi- 
dent of  the  B.  K,  T.  of  A.  then  stated  that  he  believed  the  maintenance- 
of-way  men  were  entitled  to  all  they  were  asking,  and  more.  He  re- 
quested the  conciliation  committee  to  secure  a  similar  document  from 
the  company,  setting  forth  what  the  officials  considered  fair  wages 
for  the  maintenance-of-way  men,  and  he  would  be  willing  to  leave  it  to 
the  conciliation  committee,  trusting  to  their  honor,  their  sense  of 
justice,  their  ability  to  determine  what  is  right,  and  their  courage  to 
do  right,  believing  they  would  arrive  at  a  basis  of  settlement  that 
would  be  fair  to  the  company  and  the  maintenance-of-way  men. 

The  members  of  the  conciliation  committee  appeared  to  be  satis- 
fied with  the  spirit  of  fairness  displayed  by  the  representatives. of  the 
maintenance-of-way  men,  saying  that  if  the  president  of  the  C.  P.  Ry. 
company  were  as  anxious  to  have  the  matter  settled  as  the  president 
of  the  B.  R.  T.  of  A.,  and  would  give  them  the  same  authority  to  act 
in  the  matter  they  had  received  from  the  president  of  the  Trackmen's 
Brotherhood,  the  differences  would  be  adjusted  in  a  few  minutes. 

August  13  the  following  letter  was  nmiled  to  each  member  of  the 
B.  R.  T.  of  A.  on  the  C.  P.  Ry.  system: 

The  general  chairmen  of  the  other  orders  are  in  ;Montreal.  They  have  been 
accepted  as  a  "conciliation  committee"  by  the  President  of  the  Canadian  Pacific 
Railway  company  and  myself. 

The  officials  contended  that  the  demands  made  npon  the  company  by  your 
committee  were  unreasonable,  and  the  charge  that  I  am  here  in  the  interests 
of  American  transportation  companies,  trying  to  cripple  Canadian  industries, 
etc.,  has  even  been  made. 

I  have  advised  the  general  chairmen  of  the  other  orders  that  Ave  do  not 
desire  to  make  unreasonable  demands  upon  the  company,  and  that  I  am  endeav- 
oring to  secure  for  you  what  I  believe  to  be  your  just  due,  and  in  order  to 
prove  my  sincerity,  I  am  willing  for  them  to  decide  upon  an  agreement  setting 
forth  the  terms  and  conditions  of  your  employment.  In  other  words,  they  (the 
general  chairmen  of  the  other  orders)  have  been  accepted  as  sole  arbitrators, 
without  restriction. 

The  C.  P.  R.  company  has  been  doing  business  with  the  organizations  the 
men  represent,  for  years,  which  is  equivalent  to  acknowledging  them  to  be  the 
representatives  of  intelligent  and  fair-minded  pe()i)Ie.  If  the  companj'  refuses 
to  accept  them  as  sole  arbitrators,  they  will  no  longer  be  able  to  deceive  the 
public  and  deprive  you  of  the  sympathies  of  the  good  people  of  Canada. 

The  men  I  have  empowered  to  adjust  your  grievances  are  practical  and 
experienced  men,  and  they,  as  well  as  the  officials  with  whom  they  are  dealing, 

are  British  subjects.  If  they  do  not  give  you  a  square  deal,  British  fair  play 
is  a  hollow  sham. 

The  charge  against  your  committeemen  and  myself  for  criminal  libel  will 


TuRNKD  On  by  a  Railway  Trackman.  83 

be  tried  on  September  10.  Mi'.  .MDiitgomery,  while  on  tlie  witness  stand,  wonld 
not  .uUnit  that  be  is  proseeutiug  us  in  the  interests  of  the  C.  1'.  It.  eompauy. 
He  stated,  however,  tliat  he  was  introduced  to  Mr.  McGibbon  (the  bead  of  the 
law  tirni  who  is  h)oking  after  the  proseeution)  by  Mr.  C.  W.  Spencer,  general 
superintendent  of  tlie  C.  P.  K.  company.  This  meeting  toolv  place  at  the  Wind- 
sor Hotel— the  most  expensive  and  fashionable  hotel  in  the  city  of  Montreal. 
When  a  section  foreman  instructs  other  men  to  quit  work,  they  obey  his  order, 
and  he  is  promoted  to  assistant  roadmastcr,  with  an  increase  in  his  salary, 
and  with  the  understanding  he  will  aid  in  an  attempt  to  defeat  the  men  who 
obej'ed  his  orders  and  quit  work,  by  running  over  the  road  with  a  gang  of 
laborers,  and  doing  the  work  that  was  formerly  done  l\v  the  men  whom  he 
ordered  to  suspend  work,  he  becomes  an  important  individual,  associates  with 
such  men  as  C.  W.  Spencer,  general  superintendent  of  the  C.  P.  K.  company, 
and  11.  D.  McGibbon  (King's  counsellor),  head  of  the  law  firm  now  prosecuting 
us,  stops  at  the  most  expensive  and  fashionable  hotel  in  Montreal,  and  discards 
the  hotel  your  president  and  other  workingmeu  stop  at,  and  which  he  con- 
sidered was  good  enough  for  him  before  he  Avas  promoted  to  the  position  of 
Assistant  Roadmaster  on  the  C.  P.  It. 

We  should  not  be  too  hard  on  poor  Montgomery.  Some  trees  grow  straight; 
others  grow  crooked.  Some  men  grow  straight;  others  grow  crooked.  The 
blood  a  man  inherits,  the  atmosphere  he  breathes,  and  his  environment,  usually 
determine  what  he  is. 

Boys,  I  believe  there  is  something  dead  at  the  Windsor  Street  Station. 
"Coming  events  cast  their  shadows  before."  One  of  these  days  Mr.  Shaugh- 
nessy  will  smell  the  corruption  that  has  been  going  on,  and  there  will  be  a 
general  "house-cleaning." 

I  regret  being  compelled  to  inform  you  that  a  few  of  the  men  who  in- 
structed your  committee  to  come  to  Montreal  and  do  business  for  them,  have 
degraded  themselves  by  returning  to  work,  without  having  their  grievances 
adjusted.  I  believe,  however,  that  75  per  cent  of  the  men  on  the  C.  P.  R.  are 
men  of  character  and  stability,  and  that  they  will  stand  firm  until  an  honorable 
settlement  is  made,  should  it  take  until  the  end  of  the  year  1902. 

Your  letters  of  sympathy,  on  account  of  our  being  arrested,  which  were 
duly  received  at  headquarters,  are  fully  appreciated.  Do  not  worry  about  us; 
we  have  no  fear  of  the  result,  and  we  will  continue  to  send  you  such  informa- 
tion as  we  believe  you  are  entitled  to,  in  spite  of  probable  cells,  dungeons  and 
penitentiaries. 

Boys.  I  will  not  advise  you  to  keep  the  track  in  safe  running  condition 
while  the  strike  is  on,  but  I  will  say  that  any  one  Avho  would  endanger  life, 
destroy  property,  or  allow  the  same  to  be  done,  is  an  enemy  to  our  cause,  and 
unworthy  of  holding  membership  in  our  organization. 

I  have  made  enquiries  of  the  standing  of  trackmen  at  various  places  along 
the  line  of  the  C.  P.  Railway,  and  the  citizens,  without  exception,  tell  me  that 
you  are  industrious,  law-abiding,  honest  and  hard-working  men. 

Preserve  your  good  reputations.  Work  at  anything  you  can  find  to  do. 
until  an  honorable  settlement  is  reached  with  the  company.  In  spite  of  the 
eflforts  of  your  opponents  to  deceive  the  people,  and  deprive  you  of  their  sym- 
pathies, the  eyes  of  the  public  have  been  opened,  and  they  are  now  beginning 
to  see  things  as  they  really  are.  They  will  aid  you  more  in  the  future  than  they 
have  done  in  the  past.  Yours  in  B.  L.  &  U., 

JOHN  T.  WILSON,  President  B.  R.  T.  of  A. 


84  THK  CALCIUM  I.IGHT 

CHAPTER  IX. 

THE  CONCILIATORS   (!)   AT  WORK. 

Ancust  13  the  conciliation  committee  notified  the  maintenance-of- 
way  men's  committee  that  they  desired  to  hold  a  joint  conference  at 
2  p.  m. 

At  2  p.  m.  the  meeting  took  place.  The  chairman  of  the  concilia- 
tion committee  stated  that  the  manager  of  the  C.  I*,  lly.  had  returned 
to  Montreal  and  desired  to  hold  a  joint  conference  with  the  mainte- 
nance-of-way  men's  committee  and  the  conciliation  committee.  The 
chairman  of  the  maintenance-of-way  men's  committee  stated  that  the 
settlement  of  the  differences  between  the  maintenance-of-way  men  and 
the  company  had  been  left  to  the  president  of  the  company,  the  presi- 
dent of  the  Trackmen's  Brotherhood  and  the  conciliation  committee, 
and  he  had  no  desire  to  take  the  matter  out  of  their  hands.  The  chair- 
man of  the  conciliation  committee  replied  that  the  members  of  his  com- 
mittee wanted  the  maintenance-of-way  men's  committee  to  meet  the 
manager  with  them,  and  as  they  were  endeavoring  to  make  a  settle- 
ment and  end  the  strike,  he  believed  they  should  comply  with  the 
request. 

It  will  be  observed  that  the  president  of  the  C.  P.  Ry.  company 
and  the  president  of  the  Trackmen's  Brotherhood  were  no  longer  con- 
sidered factors  by  the  conciliation  committee. 

August  14  the  conciliation  committee  called  at  the  Grand  Union 
Hotel  and  informed  the  maintenance-of-way  men's  committee  that  they 
had  secured  from  the  manager  the  following  proposition,  and  desired 
to  present  it  for  consideration : 

Montreal,  13tli  August.  1901. 

The  second  vice-president  and  general  manager  will  approve  circulars  set- 
ting out  the  rates  of  pay  for  trackmen,  in  accordance  with  his  letter  of  June 
12th,  and  also  reciting  rules  and  regulations  governing  the  employment  and  ser- 
vice of  the  traclvuien,  and  at  the  end  of  one  year  from  this  date,  if  the  traclvmen 
of  the  Canadian  Pacific  Railway  company  have  effected  a  respousiljle  and  work- 
able organization,  the  company  will  meet  a  committee  and  grant  them  a  sched- 
ule; provided,  however,  that  such  schedule  shall  only  apply  to  foremen  and 
first  and  second  men  of  one  year's  standing  in  the  company's  service,  and 
neither  the  schedule  nor  any  of  its  conditions  shall  apply  to  others  employed 
either  on  section  work  or  on  extra  gangs,  nor  shall  any  committee  representing 
the  organization  at  any  time  interfere,  or  attempt  to  interfere  witli  the  rela- 
tions between  the  company  and  employes  in  its  maintenance-of-way  department, 
to  wliom  tlie  said  schedule  will  not  apply  as  above  set  forth. 

The  company  will  reinstate  all  men  in  their  respective  positions,  provided 
such  positions  have  not  been  filled  under  promise  of  permanency  during  the 
absence  of  strikers.  In  the  case  of  positions  having  been  filled,  the  company 
will  give  such  remaining  men  preference  in   filling  other  similar  positions  as 


Turned  On  by  a  Railway  Trackman.  85 

near  to  their  old  locatiou  as  possible.     Tins  clause  not  applicable  to  those  who 
have  beeu  guilty  of  violeuce. 

The  t'aet  that  men  have  beeu  eu,i;a,i;e(l  in  tlie  strilie  shall  not  prejudiee  their 
positions  once  they  are  restored  to  the  service. 

The  couipauy  will  always  be  glad  to  meet  any  committee  of  its  employes, 
whether  en.sased  in  the  niaintenance-of-way  or  any  other  department,  for  the 
purpose  of  discussing  suggestions  calculated  to  remove  any  disadvantages 
under  which  the  men  may  labor,  or  to  promote  the  interests  of  the  company. 
D.  McNICOLL,  Second  Vice-President  and  General  Manager. 
Mr.  CHARLES  POPE,  Chairman  Conciliation  Committee,  Montreal. 
1   Euc. 

To  be  Embodied  in  the  Rules  and  Regulations. 

13.  Employes  suspended  or  discharged  will  have  the  right  of  appeal  from 
the  decision  of  their  immediate  superiors.  D.  McN. 

The  president  of  the  B.  R.  T.  of  A.  realized  as  soon  as  he  read 
the  document  that  it  was  an  insult  to  the  intelligence  of  the  trackmen's 
committee,  and,  if  accepted,  would  mean  an  unconditional  and  dis- 
graceful surrender  upon  the  part  of  the  trackmen;  but  as  the  concilia- 
tion committee  represented  fairly  well  paid  employes  of  the  company 
he  considered  their  bringing  the  proposition  to  the  trackmen's  repre- 
sentatives an  act  of  courtesy  towards  the  manager. 

The  conciliation  committee  were  advised  that  the  maintenance-of- 
way  men's  representatives  would  prepare  a*  proposition  to  be  submitted 
to  the  manager. 

The  following  was  prepared  and  submitted: 

Grand  Union  Hotel,  Montreal,  August  14,  1901. 

Mr.  D.  McXicoll.  Second  Vice-Pres.  and  Gen.  Mgr..  C.  P.  Ry. 

Dear  Sir:  We.  the  committee  representing  the  maintenance-of-way  men 
on  the  Canadian  Pacific  Railway  system,  have  been  in  Montreal  the  greater 
part  of  the  time  since  April  13th.  During  the  mouth  of  .Tune,  and  while  we 
were  holding  conferences  hoping  to  effect  an  amicable  settlement  of  all  differ- 
ences, your  subordinate  ofiicials  were  going  over  the  road  trying  to  brealc  up 
our  organization. 

About  one  week-  ago  the  general  chairmen  of  the  other  orders  which  have 
beeu  established  on  the  C.  P.  Railway,  arrived  in  Montreal. 

On  Friday,  of  last  week,  they  (the  general  chairmen)  were  accepted  by  the 
president  of  the  C.  P.  Railway  company,  and  by  the  pre^'ident  of  the  Brother- 
hood  of   Railway   Trackmen,   as   a    "conciliation   committee." 

According  to  advices  received  your  subordinate  officials  are  still  making 
strenuous  efforts  to  break  the  strike.  We  believe  the  contest  between  the 
C.  P.  Railway  ofHcials  and  the  maintenance-of-way  men  has  lasted  too  long. 
Had  a  settlement  been  made  earlier  lives  tliat  liave  l)een  lost  might  have  been 
saved,  and  men  who  liave  been  maimed  and  crippled  for  life  might  be  well 
and  hearty  today. 

We  believe  the  maintenance-of-way  men  are  entitled  to  an  agreement  with 
the  company  setting  forth  the  terms  and  conditions  of  their  employment  which 
would  be  considered  a  fair  settlement  by  experienced,  honest,  capable,  and  hon- 
orable men.  therefore,  we  propose  to  accept  the  general  chairmen  of  the  other 


86  THE  CALCIUM  I.IGHT 

Orders  as  arbitrators,  with  the  understanding  that  they  will  arrange  what  they 
consider  to  be  a  fair  settlement  for  both  parties  to  the  controversy  under  the 
circumstances.  If  the  company  will  allow  them  to  determine  what  is  fair  and 
be  governed  by  their  decision,  as  soon  as  we  receive  a  written  agreement  from 
you  to  the  effect  that  the  company  will  accept  the  general  chairmen  as  arbitra- 
tors, the  strike  will  be  declared  off,  and  they  can  arrange  the  details  of  the 
settlement  afterwards.  Yours  truly, 

JOSEPH  Lennox,  chairman  Committee. 

Tlie  manner  in  which  the  above  letter  was  received  by  the  concilia- 
tion committee  convinced  the  president  of  the  Trackmen's  Brother- 
hood that  the  general  chairmen  of  the  other  orders  were  no  longer  a 
"conciliating"'  committee.  The  chairman  of  the  conciliation  committee 
declined  to  deliver  the  letter  to  the  manager.  The  maintenance-of- 
way  men's  representatives,  he  stated,  shonld  discnss  the  proposition 
with  them,  thereby  giving  them  an  opportunity  to  explain  what  a 
splendid  settlement  had  been  offered  by  the  manager,  through  them. 
He  also  stated  that  they  had  come  to  Montreal  to  aid  the  maiutenance- 
of-way  men's  representatives  in  making  a  settlement,  and  secured  a 
proposition  which  they  believed  to  be  a  fair  basis  of  settlement  under 
the  circumstances.  They  w^ere  sorry  the  trackmen's  representatives 
had  turned  them  down.  The  chairman  of  the  conciliation  committee 
frankly  stated  that  the  maintenance-of-way  men's  representatives 
should  accept  the  terms  offered  by  the  manager. 

Owing  to  Chairman  Pope's  previous  actions,  the  president  of  the 
B.  K.  T.  of  A,  had  no  confidence  in  him,  but  believed  that  the  other 
chairmen  would  make  a  fair  settlement,  if  given  the  authority  to  do  so. 
Addressing  the  committee,  the  president  of  the  B.  R.  T.  of  A.  stated 
that  the  trackmen's  representatives  had  not  turned  the  conciliation 
committee  down,  but  proposed  to  accept  them  as  sole  arbitrators,  and 
quoted  from  the  above  letter  as  follows: 

We  propose  to  accept  the  general  chairmen  of  the  other  Orders  as  arbitra- 
tors with  the  understanding  that  they  will  arrange  what  they  consider  to  be 
a  fair  settlement  for  both  parties  to  the  controversy,  under  the  circumstances. 

The  chairman  of  the  conciliation  committee  then  said  he  did  not 
think  it  proi)er  for  him  to  deliver  the  above  letter  to  the  manager,  and 
it  was  sent  by  special  messenger. 

On  account  of  the  unfriendly  attitude  of  the  chairman  of  the 
Brotherhood  of  Railway  Trainmen  towards  the  trackmen,  after  meet- 
ing the  manager  in  '^^'innipeg,  charges  were  preferred  against  him  by 
members  of  his  division,  which  prevented  him  from  acting  with  the 
other  ch.airmen.  The  vice-presdient  of  the  1*.  IJ.  T.  was,  therefore, 
authorized  to  till  his  place.  He  did  not  arrive  in  Montreal  as  soon  as 
the  other  chairmen.     On  August  15  he  attempted  to  take  part  in  a 


Turned  On  by  a  Railway  Trackman.  87 

joint  meeting'  of  the  trackmen's  and  conciliation  committees.  He  gave 
the  members  of  the  conciliation  committee  to  understand  that  he  was 
not  in  favor  of  their  trying  to  influence  the  representatives  of  the 
trackmen  to  accept  the  basis  of  settlement  proposed  by  the  manager. 
This  protest  resulted  in  his  being  called  down  by  the  chairman  of  the 
conciliation  committee  and  given  to  understand  that  if  he  took  part  in 
the  deliberations  he  would  have  to  be  governed  by  what  had  been 
done  by  the  other  chairmen.  He  said  the  conciliation  committee  had 
secured  for  the  trackmen  a  fair  basis  of  settlement,  and  he  was  going 
to  advocate  its  acceptance  by  the  trackmen's  committee. 

The  i)resident  of  the  B.  R.  T.  of  A.  addressed  the  meeting,  stating 
that  a  letter  had  been  sent  to  the  manager  by  the  chairman  of  the  main- 
tenance-of-way  men's  committee  the  day  previous,  in  which  they  pro- 
posed to  accept  the  chairmen  of  the  other  orders  as  "sole  arbitrators," 
but  no  answer  had  been  received,  and  he  considered  that  the  manager 
had  turned  down  the  chairmen  of  the  other  orders  by  refusing  to  allow 
them  to  arbitrate  the  differences  between  the  company  and  its  main- 
tenance-of-way  men.  He  said  he  had  been  charged  with  causing  a 
strike  on  the  C.  P.  Ry.  in  the  interest  of  competing  transportation 
companies  in  the  states;  that  the  maintenance-of-way  men's  committee 
had  been  accused  of  making  unreasonable  demands  upon  the  company; 
the  general  chairmen  (the  heads  of  the  other  orders  on  the  C.  P.  Ry. 
system  and  employes  of  the  company')  had  been  accepted  as  concilia- 
tors and  arbitrators  by  the  trackmen's  committee;  while  the  manager 
of  the  C.  P.  Ry.  had  refused  to  accept  them,  and  he  believed  the  com- 
pany would  no  longer  be  able  to  deceive  the  public  by  contending 
that  he  was  working  in  the  interests  of  competing  transportation  com- 
panies, or  that  the  maintenance-of-way  men's  committee  had  made 
unreasonable  demands.  He  believed  the  actions  of  the  general  chair- 
men had  been  the  means  of  strengtliening  the  cause  of  the  trackmen, 
as  their  case  could  now  be  placed  before  the  citizens  of  Canada  in 
its  true  light.  The  only  request  he  had  to  make  of  the  conciliation 
committee  was  for  them  to  recommend  that  all  differences  between 
the  C.  P.  R.  Co.  and  its  maintenance-of-way  men  be  settled  by  arbi- 
tration. He  then  thanked  them  for  their  services  and  stated  that  if 
they  would  present  their  expense  bills  they  would  be  paid  by  the 
P,.  R.  T.  of  A. 

The  chairman  of  the  conciliation  committee  was  very  much  dis- 
pleased with  the  position  taken  by  the  president  of  the  trackmen's 
Order.  He  arose,  shed  crocodile  tears,  and  declared  that  if  the  concil- 
iation committee  left  Montreal  without  effecting  a  settlement  the  track- 
men's strike  on  the  C.  P.  Ry.  would  be  dead  in  forty-eight  hours  and 
the  funeral  of  their  organization  would  soon  take  place.     The  presi- 


88  THE  CALCIUM  LIGHT 

dent  of  the  B.  R.  T.  of  A.  replied,  savin<>-:  "Brothers,  do  not  worry  or 
weep  on  account  of  the  trackmen's  position.  We  are  not  ready  for  a 
post-mortem,  and  when  we  are  dead  'let  the  dead  bury  the  dead.'  "  He 
said  his  time  would  be  consumed  that  afternoon  in  preparing  a  state- 
ment which  he  desired  to  give  out  to  the  members  of  the  B.  R.  T.  of  A. 
He  then  left  the  committee  room.  About  (»  p.  m.  he  returned  to  the 
committee  room  and  was  surprised  at  finding  the  members  of  the  con- 
ciliation committee  still  there,  trying  to  coerce  and  browbeat  the  track- 
men's committee  into  accepting  the  manager's  proposed  basis  of  settle- 
ment. He  thought  that  they  would  consider  their  work  at  an  end  and 
depart,  but  such  was  not  the  case. 

The  reader  will  not  have  to  stretch  his  imagination  very  much  to 
realize  that  this  was  a  critical  period,  and  that  the  president  of  the 
B.  R.  T.  of  A.  was  being  sorely  tried.  The  chairman  of  the  conciliation 
committee  invited  the  members  of  his  committee  and  the  president  of 
the  B.  R.  T.  of  A.  to  leave  the  room  with  him  and  allow  the  trackmen's 
committee  to  vote  upon  a  proposition  they  had  voted  upon  and  re- 
jected. 

The  president  of  the  B.  R.  T.  of  A.  promptly  replied:  "I  am  presi- 
dent of  the  Brotherhood  of  Railway  Trackmen;  this  is  our  committee 
room;  we  are  paying  our  expenses;  I  am  here  in  an  advisory  capacity; 
if  the  maintenance-of-way  men's  committee  want  my  advice  they  are 
entitled  to  it  and  shall  have  it,  without  regard  to  the  interference  of 
any  man  or  set  of  men." 

The  chairman  of  the  trackmen's  committee  addressed  the  president 
of  the  B.  R.  T.  of  A.,  saying:  "You  go  along  with  the  conciliation  com- 
mittee. We  will  consult  with  you  later  on."  His  request  was  com- 
plied with. 

Only  a  commander  of  an  army  fighting  for  a  just  cause,  knowing 
the  boys  behind  the  guns  were  heroic  fighters  with  a  victory  almost 
won,  and  believing  they  were  about  to  be  betrayed  by  his  lieutenants 
and  turned  over  to  the  enemy,  can  realize  the  trying  position  the 
president  of  the  B.  R.  T.  of  A.  was  in. 

In  about  twenty  minutes  the  president  of  the  B.  R.  T.  of  A.  re- 
turned to  the  committe  room  and  soon  discovered  that  the  maiute- 
nance-of-way  men's  committee  was  partially  disorganized.  He  told 
them  that  they  had  voted  the  day  before  to  reject  the  proposed  basis 
of  settlement,  without  a  dissenting  vote,  and  asked  them  if  they  had  de- 
cided by  their  votes  to  reconsider  the  matter.  He  was  informed  that 
they  had  not,  but  had  been  discussing  it  with  the  conciliation  com- 
mittee, who  were  urging  them  to  vote  upon  and  adopt  it.  The  president 
of  the  B.  R.  T.  of  A.  advised  them  to  adjourn,  and  stated  that  if  they 
allowed  themselves  to  be  duped  by  their  enemies  the  men  whom  they 


Turned  On  by  a  Railway  Trackman.  89 

were  representing  and  who  were  dependent  upon  them  for  protection 
would  be  wronged;  that  the  company  would  be  permitted  to  take  back 
only  such  men  as  they  wanted  and  he  would  never  again  champion 
their  cause.     The  meeting  then  adjourned  till  S  p.  m. 

Soon  after  the  trackmen's  committee  met,  the  chairman  was  noti- 
fied that  the  chairman  of  the  conciliation  committee  desired  to  see 
him.  He  responded  to  the  call  and  was  informed  that  the  basis  of 
settlement  proposed  by  the  nmnager  was  indorsed  by  the  conciliation 
committee  and  demanded  that  the  trackmen's  committee  give  a  written 
reply,  accepting  or  rejecting  the  i)roposition.     The  following  is  a  copy 

of  the  reply : 

Montreal,  August  15,  1901. 
Mr.  Chas.  Pope,  Chairman  Conciliation  Committee. 

The  terms  of  settlement  proposed  by  the  general  manager  of  the  C.  P. 
Kaihvay  company,  through  your  committee,  to  the  committee  representing  the 
maintenance-of-way  men,  is  not  considered  a  fair  basis  of  settlement. 

We  believe  a  board  of  arbitrators  composed  of  fair-minded  men  would 
render  a  decision  more  favorable  to  the  men  we  represent  than  has  been  pro- 
posed by  the  general  manager. 

Therefore,  we  will  request  the  members  of  the  conciliation  committee  to 
recommend  that  the  matter  be  settled  bj'  arbitration. 

Hoping  it  will  be  consistent  with  the  views  of  the  members  of  your  com- 
mittee to  comply  with  this  request  and  tlianking  you  for  the  efforts  made  to 
bring  about  a  proper  understanding  and  a  fair  settlement,  we  are, 

Very  truly  yours, 

J.    LENNON,    Chairman. 
A.   F.  STOUT,   Secretary. 

August  16  the  following  letter  was  mailed  to  each  member  of  the 
B.  E.  T.  of  A.  on  the  C.  P.  Ry.  system : 

The  general  chairmen  of  the  other  Orders  on  the  C.  P.  Railway  have  been 
in  Montreal  for  some  time.  Last  Friday  they  were  accepted  by  the  president 
of  the  Canadian  Pacific  Railway  company  and  myself  to  act  as  a  "conciliation 
committee." 

Instead  of  trying  to  conciliate  and  effect  a  settlement  through  the  president 
of  the  C.  P.  Railway  company  and  myself,  they  took  the  matter  up  with  the 
general  manager. 

After  conciliating  for  about  a  week,  the  following  basis  of  settlement  was 
proposed  by  the  general  manager,  comment  upon  which  I  consider  unnecessary: 

Montreal,  13th  August,  1901. 
The  second  vioe-president  and  geueral  manager  will  approve  circulars  setting  out  the 
rates  of  pay  for  trackmen,  in  accordance  with  his  letter  of  June  12th,  and  also  i-ccitlng 
rules  and  regulations  governing  the  employment  and  service  of  the  trackmen,  and  at 
the  end  of  one  year  from  this  date,  if  the  trackmen  of  the  Canadian  Pacitie  Railway 
Company  have  effected  a  responsible  and  workable  organization,  the  company  will  meet 
a  committee  and  grant  them  a  schedule;  provided  however  that  such  schedule  shall 
only  apply  to  foremen  antl  first  and  second  men  of  one  year's  standing  in  the  company's 
service,  and  neitlu'r  the  schedule  nor  an.v  of  its  conditions  shall  apply  to  others  em- 
ployed (dther  on  section   work  or  on  extra  gangs,    nor   shall   any   committee    represeutiug 


90  THE  CALCIUM  LIGHT 

the  organization  at  any  time  interfere,  or  attempt  to  interfere  witli  tlie  relations  between 
the  company  and  employes  in  its  maintenance-of-way  department,  to  whom  the  said 
schedule   will   not   apply   as  above   set   forth. 

The  company  will  reinstate  all  men  in  their  respective  positions,  provided  such  posi- 
tions have  not  been  filled  under  promise  of  permanency  dur'ng  tlie  absence  of  strikers. 
In  the  case  of  positions  having  lieen  filled,  the  company  will  give  such  remaining  men 
preference  in  filling  other  siniiliar  positions  as  near  to  their  old  location  as  possible. 
This   clause    not   applicable   to   those   who   have   been    guilty    of   violence. 

The  fact  that  men  have  been  engaged  in  the  strike  shall  not  prejudice  their  positions 
once  they  are  restored  to  the  service. 

Tlie  company  will  always  be  glad  to  meet  any  committee  of  its  employes,  whether 
engaged  in  the  maintenance-of-wa.v  or  any  other  department,  for  the  purpose  of  discuss- 
ing suggestions  calculated  to  remove  any  disadvantages  under  wliich  the  men  may  labor, 
or  to  promote  the  interests  of  the  company. 

D.   McNICOLL,    Second    Vice-Pres.    &   General    Mgr. 
Mr.    CHARLES   POPE,   Chairman,    Conciliation  Committee,  Montreal. 

1  Euc. 

To  Be  Embodied  in  the   Rules  and  Regulations. 

13.  Employes  suspended  or  discharged  will  have  the  right  of  appeal  from  the  decision 
of  their  immediate   superiors.  D.    McN. 

Your  coiiiaiittce  declined  to  accept  the  proposed  terms  of  settlement,  and 
sent  the  following  letter  to  the  general  manager: 

Grand    Union    Hotel,   Montreal,    August   14,   1901. 
Mr.   D.   McNicoll,   2nd   Vice-Pres.   &   Gen.    Mgr.,   C.    P.    Ry. 

Dear  Sir:— We  the  committee  representing  the  maintenance-of-way  men  on  the  Cana- 
dian Pacific  Railway  System,  have  been  in  Montreal  the  greater  part  of  the  time  since 
April  13th.  During  the  month  of  June,  and  while  we  were  holding  conferences  hoping  to 
effect  an  amicable  settlement  of  all  differences,  your  subordinate  officials  were  going  over 
the  road  trying  to  break  up  our  organization. 

About  one  week  ago  the  general  chairmen  of  the  other  Orders  which  have  been  estab- 
lished on  the  C.   P.  Railwa.v,  arrived  in  Montreal. 

On  Friday  of  last  week,  they  (the  general  chairmen)  were  accepted  by  the  president  of 
the  C.  P.  Railway  company,  and  by  the  president  of  the  Brotherhood  of  Railway  Track- 
men,   as   a    "conciliation    committee." 

According  to  advices  received  your  subordinate  officials  are  still  making  strenuous 
efforts  to  break  the  strike.  We  believe  the  contest  between  tlie  C.  P.  Railway  officials 
and  the  maintenance-of-way  men  has  lasted  too  long.  Had  a  settlement  been  made  earlier 
lives  that  have  been  lost  might  have  been  saved,  and  men  who  have  been  maimed  and 
crippled   for  life   might    be   well   and  hearty  to-day. 

We  believe  the  maintenance-of-way  men  are  entitled  to  an  agreement  with  tlie  com- 
pany setting  fortli  the  terms  and  conditions  of  their  employment  which  would  be  con- 
sidered a  fair  settlement  by  experienced,  honest,  capable,  and  honorable  men,  tlierefore, 
we  propose  to  accept  the  general  chairmen  of  the  other  Orders  as  arbitrators,  with  the 
understanding  that  tliey  Will  arrange  what  they  consider  to  be  a  fair  settlement  for  both 
parties  to  the  controversy  under  the  circumstances.  If  the  company  will  allow  them 
to  determine  what  is  fair  and  be  governed  b.v  their  decision,  as  soon  as  we  receive  a 
written  agreement  from  you  to  the  effect  that  the  comi)any  will  accept  the  general 
chuirnien  as  arbitrators,  the  strike  will  be  declared  off,  and  they  can  arrange  the  de- 
tails of  the  settlement  afterwards.  Yours    truly, 

JOSEPH  LENNON,  Chairman  Committee. 

No  answer  has  been  received  to  the  above. 

We  have  requested  the  general  chairmen  of  the  other  Orders  to  recommend 
to  the  company,  and  your  representatives,  that  the  differences  be  settled  by  a 
"board  of  arbitration,"  the  arbitrators  to  be  selected  in  the  usual  way. 

Your  case  is  in  a  condition  to  be  presented  to  the  public  in  a  true  light.  If 
you  will  be  true  to  yourselves  the  honest  people  of  Canada,  who  believe  in 
upliolding  right  and  crushing  wrong,  will  assist  you  in  securing  an  honorable 
and   fair  settlement. 


Turned  On  by  a  Railway  Trackman.  91 

Some  of  the  men.  who  were  deceived  ;uid  iufluenced  to  returu  to  work, 
suspended  work  again,  and  have  notified  yonr  committee  that  they  will  stand 
firm  until  matters  are  settled  right,  or  sever  their  connection  with  the  company 
forever.  Yours  in  B.  L.  &  U., 

JOHN  T.  WILSON,  President  B.  11.  T.  of  A. 

CHAPTER  X. 

THE  mask  torn  off. 

The  members  of  the  maiDtonance-of-way  men's  committee  were 
much  sought  after  by  members  of  the  conciliatiou  committee.  Al- 
though the  chairman  of  the  conciliation  committee  did  not  take  meals 
and  lodging  at  the  Grand  Union  Hotel,  he  was  on  hand  early  on  the 
morning  of  the  10th.  notwithstanding  he  had  been  notified  by  the  track- 
men's committee  the  previous  evening  that  the  only  service  his  com- 
mittee could  render  the  trackmen  would  be  to  recommend  that  the 
difllerences  be  settled  by  arbitration. 

One  member  of  the  trackmen's  committee,  George  McTaggart, 
seemed  to  be  very  much  under  the  influence  of  the  members  of  the  con- 
ciliation committee.  Instead  of  aiding  in  sending  out  statements  to 
the  members  of  the  B.  R.  T.  of  A.,  he  absented  himself  during  the  day. 
About  four  o'clock  in  the  afternoon  the  following  communication  was 
received  by  the  trackmen's  committee: 

Queen's  Hotel,  Montreal,  August  16th,  1901. 
To  the  Officers  and  :\Iembers  of  the  B.  of  L.  E.,  O.  R.  C,  B.  of  L.  F.,  B.  of  K.  T., 
and  O.  II.  T.,  of  tlie  Canadian  Pacific  Piailway: 

Dear  Sirs  and  Brothers:  The  undersigned  general  chairmen  herewith  sub- 
mit the  following  report  for  your  consideration: 

In  compliance  witli  request  of  members  of  our  organizations,  we  met  in 
Montreal  on  Thursday.  August  8th,  1901,  to  renew^  the  efforts  which  some  of 
the  general  cliairmen  had  made  towards  obtaining  the  consent  of  the  com- 
pany and  maintenance-of-way  men  for  the  general  chairmen  of  the  five  organ- 
izations to  act  as  conciliators  in  tlie  present  dispute. 

Our  services  I)eing  accepted  l)y  both  parties  we  took  up  the  duties  of  the 
conciliation  board. 

After  several  interviews  had  been  held  between  the  board  of  conciliation, 
the  company  and  the  committee  representing  tlie  trackmen,  we  succeeded  in 
obtaining  a  basis  of  settlement  which  we  T)elieved  to  l)e  reasonal)le  and  fair 
under  the  present  conditions  of  the  strike  situation  and  recommended  that  it 
be  accepted  by  the  trackmen,  explaining  to  them  that  the  terms  submitted 
were  equal  to  those  obtained  liy  any  of  the  otlier  organizations  in  their  first 
efforts  to  obtain  recognition. 

After  the  terms  of  settlement  had  been  fully  explained  to  the  trackmen 
and  a  vote  taken  by  them,  the  following  letter  was  presented  to  the  boai'd  of 
conciliation  by  the  chairman  of  the  trackmen: 

Montreal,  August  15tli.  1901. 
Mr.    Chiis.    Pope,    Chalrmnn    ronciliation  romiuittoo: — The    tonus    of    settlement    pro- 
posed liy  the  general  manager  of  the  C.  P.  Railway  Company   through  your  committee  to 


92  THE  CALCIUM  LIGHT 

the  committee  representing  the  maintenance-of-way  men.  is  not  considered  a  fair  ))asis  of 
settlement. 

We  believe  a  board  of  arbitrators  composed  of  fair  minded  men,  would  render  a  de- 
cision more  favorable  to  the  men  we  represent  than  has  been  proposed  by  the  general 
manager. 

Therefore,  we  will  request  the  members  of  the  conciliation  committee  to  recommend 
that  the  matter  be  settled  by  arbitration. 

Hoping  it  will  be  consistent  with  the  views  of  the  members  of  your  committee  to 
comply  with  this  request  and  thanking  you  for  the  etforts  made  to  bring  about  a  proper 
understanding  and  a  fair  settlement,  we  are,  Very  truly  yours, 

J.    LEXNON,    Chairman. 
A.   F.  STOUT,   Secretary. 

We,  as  a  board  of  conciliation,  feel  tbat  our  duties  as  mediators  liave  ended, 
and  that  nothing  further  can  be  done  by  us,  unless  President  Wilson  of  the 
B.  R.  T.  of  A.  will  agree  to  leave  the  city  within  twenty-four  hours,  and  not 
to  interfere  in  any  way  with  either  committee  and  will  give  authority  to  the 
trackmen's  committee  to  declare  the  strilie  off  when,  in  their  judgment,  a  rea- 
sonable and  fair  basis  of  settlement  can  be  effected. 

CHAS.  POPE,  Chairman  B.  of  L.  E. 

A.  SHAW,  Chairman  O.  R.  C. 

GEO.  K.  WARK,  Chairman  B.  of  L.  F. 

E.  E.  EDDY,  Chairman  B.   R.  T. 

W.  H.  ALLISON,  Chairman  O.  R.  T. 

The  statement  in  the  above  letter  "that  the  terms  submitted  were 
equal  to  those  obtained  by  any  of  the  other  organizations  in  their  first 
efforts  to  obtain  recognition,"  is  false. 

During  the  strike  of  the  telegraph  operators  on  the  C.  P.  Ry.  in 
189C,  the  company's  officials  proposed  a  basis  of  settlement  very  sim- 
ilar to  the  one  submitted  to  the  trackmen's  representatives,  but  the 
men  conciliating  between  the  C.  P.  Ry.  company  and  the  telegraphers 
had  too  much  respect  for  the  intelligence  of  the  telegraphers'  repre- 
sentatives to  even  submit  to  them  the  terms  projwsed  by  the  company. 
They  possessed  enough  character,  brains  and  courage  to  propose  a  fair 
basis  of  settlement,  which  was  accepted  by  both  parties. 

The  above  communication,  signed  by  the  chairmen  of  the  B.  L.  E., 
O.  R.  C,  B.  L.  F.,  O.  R.  T.,  and  the  secretary  of  the  board  of  'adjust- 
ment of  the  B.  R.  T.,  tore  from  their  faces  the  last  vestige  of  a  "con- 
ciliation" mask. 

The  maintenance-of-way  men's  representatives  were  convinced  be- 
yond doubt  that  they  had  been  dealing  with  a  committee  whose  pur- 
pose was  to  deceive  and  disorganize  the  trackmen,  rather  than  to  aid 
them  in  securing  a  fair  and  honorable  adjustment  of  their  grievances, 
and  whose  arbitrary  action  in  ordering  the  president  of  the  B.  R.  T.  of 
A.  to  leave  Montreal  put  them  in  the  attitude  of  a  vigilance  committee 
which  assumes  the  role  of  judge,  jury  and  executioner. 

The  letter  was  given  to  the  press  by  the  vigilance  committee  and 
appeared  in  the  afternoon  papers  throughout  the  Dominion  several 
hours  before  it  was  received  by  the  maintenance-of-way  men's  com- 


Turned  On  by  a  Railway  Trackman.  93 

mittee.  The  triukmeirs  committee  considered  the  demand  made  by 
the  vigilance  committee,  that  the  president  of  llieir  organization  should 
leave  town  within  twenty-four  hours,  a  base  insult,  and  promptly 
l)assed  a  resolution  to  the  effect  that  the  communication  be  ignored 
altogether. 

About  nine  o'clock  on  the  evening  of  August  1(1,  one  of  the  writer's 
assistants  called  at  his  room  and  infoi'med  him  that  the  vigilance  com- 
mittee reported  to  the  otticials  of  the  V.  P.  Ky.  that  four  out  of  seven 
of  the  committeemen  had  been  captured.  The  names  of  the  commit- 
teemen reported  captured  were  McTaggart,  Frederick,  Nasou  and 
Johnson. 

On  account  of  Tonmiitteeman  Frederick  being  in  a  very  weak  con- 
dition, physically  and  mentally  (having  been  in  the  hospital  the  greater 
))art  of  the  summer),  he  was  considered  irresponsible. 

Committeeman  McTaggart  was  frequently  seen  in  company  with 
a  man  whom  all  of  the  nmintenance-of-way  men's  representatives  be- 
lieved to  be  a  C.  P.  Ry.  detective,  and  continuing  to  associate  with 
him  after  being  advised  not  to  do  so,  together  with  his  friendly  attitude 
towards  the  members  of  the  vigilance  committee,  caused  the  track- 
men's committee  to  no  longer  consider  him  a  true  representative  of  the 
maiutenance-of-way  men. 

On  August  17  the  president  of  the  B.  R.  T.  of  A.  met  the  track- 
men's committee  in  the  committee  room  and  preferred  the  following 
charges  against  Committeeman  McTaggart  : 

1st.  That  George  McTaggart  has  been  dickering  with  tlie  Canadian  Pacific 
Railway  officials,  through  the  general  chairmen  of  the  otlier  Orders,  and  re- 
ceived and  was  considering  a  proposition  to  nialce  a  settlement  for  part  of  the 
members  of  the  Brotherhood  of  Railway  Traclvmen  of  America. 

2nd.  That  George  McTaggart  and  a  man  who  is  believed  to  be  a  C.  P.  R. 
detective,  had  talveu  one  of  the  maintenance-of-way  men's  representatives  here 
present,  out  for  a  carriage  drive,  and  attempted  to  induce  him  to  drinli  intoxi- 
cating liquors,  and  stop  with  them  at  disreputable  places. 

The  chairman  of  the  committee  then  instructed  the  secretary  to 
notify  McTaggart  of  the  charges  preferred  against  him  and  request 
him  to  appear  in  the  committee  room  and  answer  same. 

The  secretary,  upon  returning  to  the  committee  room,  informed 
ihe  chairman  that  McTaggart  refused  to  appear.  He  was  then  ex- 
pelled and  the  following  notice  was  handed  to  him: 

Montreal.  August  17,  1901. 
Mr.  G.  McTaggart,  Montreal. 

Dear  Sir:  On  account  of  your  receiving  and  considering  a  proi!;)sitiou  for 
a  settlement  for  part  of  tlie  members  of  the  B.  R.  T.  of  A„  without  the  knowl- 
<'dge  or  consent  of  the  other  members  of  the  committee  representing  tlie  main- 
tenauce-of-wny  men  on  the  Canadian  Pacific  Railwav.  and  other  conduct  uube- 


94  THE  CAI.CIUM  I^IGHT 

coming  to  a  member  of  the  general  grievance  committee,  and  on  account  of 
your  refusing  to  appear  in  the  committee  room  wlien  requested  to  do  so,  for 
the  purpose  of  explaining  the  cause  of  your  action,  j'ou  have  been  expelled 
from  the  committee,  and  Mr.  C.  E.  King,  the  president  of  the  local  division  in 
which  you  hold  meml)ership,  has  been  notified  of  your  expulsion  and  requested 
to  come  to  Montreal  to  represent  the  men  in  the  bridge  and  building  department 
on  the  Canadian  Pacific  Kailwaj'. 

I  have  been  instructed  by  our  grand  president.  Brother  Wilson,  that  the 
Brotherhood  of  Railway  Trackmen  of  America  will  not  be  responsible  for  your 
board  after  this  date. 

A.  F.  STOUT,  Secretary  Trackmen's  Committee. 

The  following  messages  are  self-explanatory: 
C.  E.  King,  North  Bend,  B.  C. 

McTaggart  expelled  from  committee;  notify  all  concerned.  Come  to  Mon- 
treal at  once  to  represent  bridgemen.     We  are  going  to  win. 

JOHN   T.    WILSON. 

John  T.  Wilson,  Montreal. 

What's  the  trouble  with  McTaggart?    Cannot  come.     Reply  here  quick. 

C.  E.  KING. 

C.  E.  King,  Yale,  B.  C. 

Believe  he  has  been  corrupted  and  will  aid  in  an  effort  to  break  strike  by 
dividing  bridge  and  trackmen.  Balance  of  our  committee  incorruptible.  Come 
or  send  a  proper  man.     Expenses  will  be  paid. 

JOHN  T.  WILSON. 

JOE    LENNON. 

John  T.  Wilson,  Montreal. 

Will  be  there  as  soon  as  possible.  C.  E.   KING. 

Mr.  King  arrived  and  performed  his  duties  well. 

When  it  became  known  that  McTaggart  was  not  in  accord  with 
the  other  members  of  the  committee  and  had  been  suspended,  he  be- 
came a  very  popular  man  with  the  chairman  of  the  vigilance  commit- 
tee. Much  of  their  time  was  spent  together  and  the  following  press 
report  is  believed  to  be  a  joint  document  prepared  by  them: 

There  are  two  sides  to  the  McTaggart  story.  In  conversation  with  a  Star 
representative  this  morning  ^Mr.  ^McTaggart  said. 

"It  is  an  absolute  falsehood  to  say  and  publish  a  report  that  I  was  expelled 
from  the  trackmen's  committee,  unless  a  man  can  be  expelled  from  a  committee 
after  he  has  resigned  and  declared  in  no  uncertain  words  that  he  would  never 
sit  on  it  again  while  President  Wilson  held  the  position  he  did. 

"On  Thursday  last  I  left  the  room  when  I  found  that  Wilson  was  bound  that 
the  report  of  the  conciliation  committee  should  not  be  accepted,  and  as  I  left  I 
told  the  members  that  the  action  was  a  resignation  from  the  committee,  and  I 
should  not  return  to  sit  with  them.  Then  it  was  so  engineered  that  a  trumped 
up  charge  was  made  and  I  was  expelled  from  the  committee. 

"I  want  to  say  now  that  I  have  the  opportunity  that  as  a  member  of  the 
committee  which  has  carried  on  the  negotiations  with  the  C.  P.  R.,  that  the 
strike  would  have  been  over  long  ago  had  it  not  been  for  the  presence  of  Mr. 


Turned  Ox  by  a  Railway  Trackman.  95 

Wilson.  From  \hv  very  lirst  \\v  has  doiu'  cvcryf hiiiy  he  could  to  continue  the 
strilvc  for  the  glory  of  Wilson  and  I  am  glad  that  things  are  now  being  taken 
out  of  his  hands  so  that  the  members  may  have  a  chance  to  get  matters  settled 
and  get  back  to  work  before  the  snow  comes."  *  *  *  There  has  been  a  good 
deal  of  gossip  over  the  vote  taken  on  the  proposals  made  by  the  conciliation 
committee  and  which  were  rejected  on  Thursday  last.  Mr.  INlcTaggart  says 
that  he  is  not  at  all  sure  that  a  vote  was  ever  taken.  He  knows  that  he  was 
not  there  at  the  time  and  knows  that  Mr.  Frederick  was  not  there. 

"I  have  also  reasons  for  believing  that  ^fr.  Johnson  was  not  there."  Mr. 
McTaggart  says,  "and  if  he  was  not  there  who  passed  the  motion?  Mr.  Lennon 
is  a  splendid  man.  but  acting  too  much  with  Mr.  Wilson,  Mr.  Stout,  the  secre- 
tary, and  two  others.  Now,  I  do  not  think,  with  the  influence  Mr.  Wilson 
brought  to  bear,  that  can  be  called  a  decisive  vote,  and  it  may  be  turned  round 
at  any  moment.  Does  it  not  stand  to  reason  that,  unless"  there  be  an  ulterior 
niotive,  the  committee  would  not  turn  down  the  proposal  of  five  other  organ- 
izations whose  good  graces  they  are  trying  to  get  and  to  keep?  Certainly  not. 
Thf  proposition  would  have  been  accepted  with  honor  to  all  parties  concerned, 
but  it  did  not  suit  Mr.  Wilson. 

"A  word  about  the  statement  made  in  the  morning  paper  to  the  effect  that 
the  committee  had  been  aware  for  some  time  that  I  had  been  negotiating  with 
the  company.  It  is  as  false  as  it  is  malicious  and  I  defj'  Mr.  Wilson  to  prove 
it.  If  I  had,  it  would  have  been  but  justice,  for  I  have  read  letters  sent  to  the 
members  of  the  committee  from  fathers  and  mothers  praying  for  money  to 
keep  them  from  starving.  I  have  heard  the  most  piteous  appeals  made  that 
it  is  possible  to  imagine,  and  yet  the  president  of  the  organization  has  striven 
to  avoid  a  settlement  so  that  his  own  aggrandizement  might  be  greater  in  the 
end.  I  ask  if  that  is  honest.  I  swear  to  you  that  it  is  true.  I  do  not  know 
where  the  monej'  is  tliat  belongs  to  the  Brotherhood.  Some  of  it  has  mi- 
doubtedly  been  spent  on  the  strike,  but  if  it  has  it  should  have  passed  through 
the  committee,  and  none  of  it  has.  The  Aery  fact  that  I,  as  a  committeeman, 
have  never  known  of  any  expense  shows  that  the  money  ought  to  have  gone 
through  the  hands  of  the  men  who  are  representing  the  main  body  of  toilers." 

President  Wilson,  when  asked  to  reply  to  the  serious  charges  made  by 
Commilteeman  McTaggart,  said  that  he  had  nothing  whatever  to  say  about 
it.  It  Avas  pointed  out  to  ]\Ir.  Wilson  that  the  statements  were  made  by  a 
man  who  had  been  his  confrere  and  who  had  boldly  asserted  that  Avhat  he 
said  was  fact.  In  view  of  this,  jNIr.  Wilson  was  asked  if  it  would  not  be  wise 
to  give  out  some  statement  in  reply.     He  said,  "No." 

Aiipjnst  20  the  followinj?  letter  was  mailed  to  each  member  of  the 
B.  R.  T.  of  A.  on  the  C.  P.  Ry.  system : 

In  order  to  lay  before  the  meml)ers  of  our  organization  the  platform  we  are 
standing  on.  and  to  contradict  rumors  which  the  company  have  started  amongst 
our  members,  we  have  established  the  following  platform  and  l)asis  for  a 
settlement; 

THE  ROCK  ON  WHICH  C.  P.  R.  TRACKMEN  STAND. 

The  principal  conditions  under  which  the  committee  representing  the  main- 
tenance-of-Avay  men  on  the  C.  P.  Railway  will  make  a  setth'ment  with  the 
company,  are  as  follows:  — 


96  THE  CALCIUM  LIGHT 

1st.  All  men  now  on  strike  who  have  not  been  convicted  of  crime  in  con- 
nection with  the  strilve,  shall  be  reinstated  in  tlieir  former  positions  witliout 
prejudice. 

2nd.  An  agreement  must  be  signed  l)y  the  proper  official  of  the  C.  P.  R., 
setting  forth  the  terms  and  conditions  of  employment  of  maiutenance-of-way 
men  which  will  protect  them  against  unjust  discrimination  by  any  of  the  com- 
pany's officials. 

3rd.  A  reasonable  and  uniform  increase  in  wages  must  be  granted  suffi- 
cient at  least  to  make  tlie  purchasing  power  of  a  day's  wages  equal  to  what 
it  was  two  years  ago,  or  before  the  general  rise  in  prices. 

4th.  The  committee  will  submit  the  settling  of  all  differences  to  impartial 
arbitration,  the  arbitrators  to  be  selected  in  the  usual  way. 

5th.  And  this  committee  indorses,  and  have  always  approved  of,  the  posi- 
tion taken  by  their  president,  John  T.  Wilson,  in  the  controversy,  and  consider 
themselves  entitled  to  his  advice  and  aid  without  interference  or  dictation 
from  any  source. 

When  the  above  terms  are  accepted  by  the  company  the  strike  will  be 
declared  off,  but  not  until  theo 

J.  LENNON,  Representative  Pacific  Division. 

J.  B.  BRUNSKILL,  Representative  Western  Division. 

J.    W.   JOHNSON,    Representative    Eastern    Division. 

A.  F.  STOUT,  Representative  O.  &  Q.  Division. 

E.  E.  NASON,   Representative  Atlantic  Division. 

Brothers,  our  president  has  been  asked  by  the  chairmen  of  the  other 
Orders  of  railwaymen  to  leave  the  city. 

We,  your  committee,  have  considered  it  a  gross  insult  to  us  and  to  every 
member  of  our  organization,  and  claim  we  have  the  right  to  our  president's 
advice  without  interference  from  any  source.  AYe  know  that  rumors  to  the 
effect  tliat  we  have  been  offered  a  good  settlement  have  been  circidated  among 
our  men;  but,  in  our  circular  dated  August  17th,  you  have  a  copy  of  the  basis 
of  settlement  offered  by  Mr.  McNicoU  and  recommended  by  the  conciliation 
committee  which  would,  if  accepted,  have  been  an  unconditional  surrender. 

To  have  accepted  their  recommendation  would  mean: 

>    1.     That  our  Union  would  not  be  recognized  and  our  members  could   be 
discharged  without  cause  at  any  time. 

2.  That  new  foremen  who  have  taken  some  of  our  place*  would  remain, 
and  you  would  have  to  work  under  them  or  take  other  employment. 

3.  That  we  would  liave  no  settlement  of  the  wage  question. 

We  are  unanimous  in  our  position.  We  feel  certain  of  success  in  the  near 
future.  We  were  sent  here  to  carry  out  your  instructions  and  are  going  to 
do  so.  Great  pressure  has  been  put  upon  us  to  agree  to  a  betrayal  of  those 
we  represent. 

Brethren,  do  your  duty  and  we  will  do  ours,  aud  unitedly  we  will  succeed 
in  our  efforts.  We  are  struggling  for  -justice  and  a  fair  settlement  and  we  feel 
sure  our  men  will  stand  by  us  until  a  proper  adjustment  of  our  grievances  has 
been  made. 

J.    LENNON,    Chairman. 
A.    F.    STOUT,    Se^^retary. 


Turned  On  by  a  Railway  Trackman.  97 

Notwithstanding  tbe  members  of  the  vigilance  committee  did 
everything  in  their  power  to  cany  out  the  wishes  of  the  manager  and 
to  force  the  maintenance-of-way  men's  representatives  to  accept  the 
terms  of  settlement  proposed  by  him,  according  to  their  report  tke 
following  basis  of  settlement  was  proposed  by  them: 

1st.  Every  man  who  has  j^oue  oat  ou  strike,  or  who  has  voted  to  strike,, 
or  who  has  been  discharged  for  refusing  to  take  the  place  of  a  striker,  to  be 
reinstated  without  prejudice. 

2nd.  The  company  to  recognize  and  deal  with  the  properly  authorizetl 
committees  of  the  Brotherhood  of  Railway  Trackmen  of  America  employed 
on  the  Canadian  Tacitic  Railway. 

3rd.  All  matters  relating  to  the  conditions  of  service  and  compensation 
therefor  to  be  adjusted  by  an  impartial  and  practical  body  of  men  mutually- 
agreeable  to  parties  interested  within   days. 

The  above  proposition  was  not  snbmatted  to  the  maintenauce-of- 
way  men's  representatives.  According  to  their  rejiort  they  sent  the 
following  letter  to  the  president  of  the  C.  P.  Ry.  company : 

T.  G.  Shaughuessy,  Esq.,  President  C.  P.  Ry. 

Dear  Sir:  During  our  conference  with  you  on  Friday  p.  m.,  you  requested 
us  to  be  as  fraulv  iu  oiu-  conversation  as  you  had  been  with  us.  and,  as  both 
the  Trackmen's  Association  and  yourself  have  consented  to  accept  our  services 
as  a  conciliation  committee,  we  feel  at  liberty  to  talk  plainly  on  the  subject. 

As  representatives  of  organized  labor,  we  are  naturally  guided  to  a  certain 
extent  by  precedents,  and  by  making  proposition  as  basis  of  settlement,  we  felt 
that  Ave  were  asking  only  for  the  trackmen  what  other  organizations  had  been 
granted. 

We,  as  a  committee,  fully  appreciate  that  the  welfare  of  the  organizations 
we  represent  largely  depends  upon  the  success  of  the  company  by  whom  we 
are  employed. 

Our  intention  is  to  do  what  we  consider  in  the  best  interests  of  the  com- 
pany and  the  employes. 

Owing  to  the  fact  that  accidents  have  occurred  in  close  proximity  to  where 
watchmen  are  located,  and  the  possibility  that  these  conditions  may  grow 
worse,  notwithstanding  all  efforts  the  company  may  make  to  guard  the  track 
and  make  the  conditions  of  service  of  our  members  secure,  we  feel  that  emer- 
gencies may  arise  which  may  compel  our  members,  from  consideration  of  per- 
sonal safety,  to  decline  any  longer  to  perform  their  usual  duties,  notwithstand- 
ing that  they  desire  to  be  loyal  to  their  agreements  Avith  the  company. 

The  contracts  betAveeu  the  company  and  our  members  are  for  service  under 
normal  conditions,  and  should  tlie  extra  risks  due  to  the  present  conditions 
compel  them  to  decline  to  perform  their  usual  duties,  our  organizations  Avould 
feel  that  they  should  not  be  subjected  to  discipline  or  financial  loss. 

In  vicAV  of  the  al>ove  facts,  and  tlie  complications  that  may  arise,  we  would 
be  glad  if  tlie  company  would  see  its  way  clear  to  accept  of  the  first  two 
clauses  of  basis  of  settlement  recommended  l)y  us.  and  shoidd  tlicy  see  fit  to 
do  so,  we  would  be  prepared  to  consider  any  restrictions  or  conditions  tliat 


98  THE  CALCIUM  LIGHT 

they  might  think  necessary  to  impose  on  the  traclimen  for  the  protection  of  the 
company's  interests  in  the  future. 

The  committee  will  be  pleased  to  meet  you  at  your  convenience  on  Monday. 

Yours  respectfully, 

CHAS.  POPE,   Chairman. 
W.  H.  ALLISON,  Secretary. 

CHAPTER  XI. 

REAL    CONCILIATORS    APPEAR    UPON    THE    SCENE. 

Before  the  vigilance  committee  sent  out  their  report  the  members 
of  the  board  of  adjustment  of  the  Brotherhood  of  Railway  Trainmen 
arrived  in  Montreal.  The  secretary  of  their  board  had  been  working 
in  harmony  with  the  vigilance  committee  and  the  C.  P.  Ry.  ofiicials, 
but  when  it  was  pointed  out  to  him  that  the  vigilance  committee  was 
acting  in  bad  faith  towards  the  maintenance-of-way  men,  he  demanded 
that  the  following  clause  be  added  to  their  report: 

"That  the  Brotherhood  of  Railway  Trainmen  go  on  record  as  being  opposed 
to  the  basis  of  settlement  proposed  by  the  company  and  afterAvards  amended 
by  the  conciliation  committee,  as  it  is  not  considered  a  fair  basis  of  settlement." 

The  vigilance  committee  refused  to  allow  the  above  clause  to  be 
inserted  and  Mr.  Eddy,  secretary  of  the  B,  R.  T.  board  of  adjustment, 
erased  his  signature  from  the  report. 

The  members  of  the  board  of  adjustment  of  the  B.  R.  T.,  feeling 
that,  as  representatives  of  the  members  of  their  orgp#Tiization,  they 
had  a  grievance,  because  some  of  their  members  had  lost  their  lives 
during  the  strike,  on  account  of  track  not  being  kept  in  j)roper  condi- 
tion, offered  to  aid  the  maintenance-of-way  men  in  an  effort  to  effect 
a  settlement,  which  offer  w^as  accepted,  and  the  following  letter  was 
prepared  and  handed  to  the  chairman  of  the  B.  R.  T.  board  of  ad- 
justment: 

Montreal,  August  27,  1901. 
Mr.  T.  J.  Coughlin,  Chairman  Board  of  Adjustment,  B.  R.  T. 

Dear  Sir:  The  general  grievance  committee  representing  the  maintenance- 
of-way  men  on  the  Canadian  Pacific  Railway  system,  having  failed  in  their 
efforts  to  make  a  settlement  with  the.  Canadian  Pacific  Railway  officials,  and 
being  anxious  to  terminate  the  difficulty,  will  accept  the  meml)ers  of  the  board 
of  adjustment  of  tlie  Brotherhood  of  Railway  Trainmen  as  mediators  between 
the  Canadian  Pacific  Railway  company  and  the  committee  representing  the 
maintenance-of-way   men   on   the  Canadian    Pacific   Railway   system. 

Yours   respectfully, 
JOSEPH  LENNON,  Chairman  Committee. 

August  28  the  following  letter  was  mailed  to  each  member  of  the 
B.  R.-T.  of  A.  on  the  C.  P.  Ry.  system: 

On  account  of  so  many  misleading  statements  being  pxiblished.  concerning 
the  work  and  actions  of  the  general  chairmen  of  the  other  Railway   Orders, 


Turned  On  by  a  Railway. Trackman.  99 

who  woro  accepted  by  the  president  of  the  Canadian  Pacific  Railway  company, 
and  by  the  president  of  the  Brotherhood  of  Railway  Trackmen,  as  a  concilia- 
tion committee,  I  will  endeavor  to  state  the  facts  concerniiiii'  the  matter. 

I  have  no  hesitancy  in  saving  tliat  the  members  of  tlie  conciliatiou  eoni- 
mittee  did  not  act  in  good  faith  with  the  maintenance-of-way  men.  Thej-  at- 
tempted to  inflneuce  your  committee  to  accept  a  basis  of  settlement  which 
Avould  have  meant  an  unconditional  surrender,  a  disgraceful  surrender,  and 
an  admission  upon  the  part  of  your  committee  that  maintenauce-of-way  men 
are  too  ignorant  to  be  dealt  witli  in  the  same  manner  as  the  officials  deal  with 
other  classes  of  their  employes. 

When  the  conciliation  committer  called  upon  me.  I  reviewed  the  Avork  of 
your  committee  during  its  stay  in  Montreal.  They  then  requested  me  to  furnish 
them  with  a  proposition  showing  what  I  considered  to  be  a  fair  basis  of  settle- 
ment for  the  maintenance-of-way  men.  In  compliance  with  their  request,  I 
presented  them  with  a  copy  of  the  schedule  prepared  by  your  committee,  and 
which  was  handed  to  the  general  manager  in  April  last,  at  the  same  time  in- 
forming them  that  I  believed  the  men  were  entitled  to  all  they  were  asking — 
and  a  great  deal  more.     I  then  suggested  that  they  secure  a  similar  document 

from  the  president  of  the  (.'.  P.  R.  company,  after  which  we  would  accept  them 
as  sole  arbitrators,  trusting  to  their  honor,  their  sense  of  justice,  their  ability 
to  determine  what  is  right,  and  their  courage  to  do  what  is  right. 

Through  the  kindness  of  a  member  of  one  of  the  other  Orders,  a  copy  of 
the  conciliation  committee's  report  has  been  received.  According  to  its  con- 
tents, the  conciliation  committee  recommended  terms  of  settlement  which,  I 
believe,  Avould  be  fair  to  both  parties  to  the  controversy,   as  follows: 

WHAT    THE    CONCILIATION    MEN    THOUGHT  PAIR  WHEN   FREE  TO  THINK  FOR 

THEMSELVES. 

1st.  Every  man  who  has  gone  out  on  strike,  or  who  has  voted  to  strike,  or  who 
has  been  discharged  for  refusing  to  take  the  place  of  a  striker,  to  be  reinstated  without 
prejudice. 

2nd.  The  company  to  recognize  and  deal  with  the  properly  authorized  committees  of 
the  Brotherhood  of  Railway  Trackmen  of  America  employed  on  the  Canadian  Pacific  Rail- 
way. 

3rd.  All  matters  relating  to  the  conditions  of  service  and  compensation  therefor  to 
bo  adjusted  by  an  impartial  and  practical  body  of  men  mutually  agreeable  to  parties 
Interested    within days. 

According  to  their  report,  they  also  sent  the  following  letter  to  President 
Shaughnessy: 

T.  G.  Shaughnessy,  Esq.,  President  C.  P.  Ry. 

'Dear  Sir— During  our  conference  with  you  on  Friday  p.  m.,  you  requested  us  to  be 
as  frank  in  our  conversation  as  you  had  been  with  us,  and,  as  both  the  Trackmen's 
Association  and  yourself  have  consented  to  accept  our  services  as  conciliation  commit- 
tee,  we  feel  at   liberty  to  talk  plainl.v  on  the  subject. 

As  representatives  of  organized  labor,  we  are  naturally  guided  to  a  certain  extent 
by  precedents,  and  b.v  making  proposition  as  basis  of  settlement,  we  felt  that  wo  were 
asking  only  for  the  trackmen   what  other  organizations   had   been    granted. 

We,  as  a  committee,  fully  appreciate  that  the  welfare  of  the  of-g:iiiiz:itions  we  repre- 
sent largely  depends  upon  the  success  of  the  company  by  whom  we  are  employea. 

Our  intention  is  to  do  what  we  consider  in  the  best  interests  of  the  company  and  the 
employes. 

Owing  to  the  fact  that  accidents  have  occurred  in  close  proximity  to  where  watch- 
men are  located,  and  the  possildlity  that  these  conditions  may  grow  worse,  notwithstand- 
ing all  efforts  the  company  may  make  to  guard  the  track  and  make  tlie  conilitions  of 
service    of    our    mciiilxM-s    secure,     we    feel    that   emcrgcucics   ni.iy   arise   wiiiih   may  compel 


100  THE  CALCIUM  LIGHT 

our  members,  from  considerations  of  personal  safety,  to  decline  any  longer  to  perform 
their  usual  duties,  not  withstanding  that  they  desire  to  be  loyal  to  their  agreements 
with   the  company. 

The  contracts  between  the  company  and  our  members  are  for  service  under  normal 
conditions,  and  should  the  extra  risks  due  to  the  present  conditions  compel  them  to 
decline  to  perform  their  usual  duties,  our  organization  would  feel  that  they  should  not 
be  subjected  to  discipline  or  financial  loss. 

In  view  of  the  above  facts,  and  the  complications  that  may  arise,  we  would  be  glad 
if  the  company  would  see  its  way  clear  to  accept  of  the  first  two  clauses  of  basis  of 
settlement  recommended  by  us,  and  Should  they  see  fit  to  do  so,  we  would  be  pre- 
pared to  consider  any  restrictions  or  conditions  that  they  might  think  necessary  to 
impose  on  the  trackmen  for  the  protection  of  the  company's  interests  in  the  future. 

The   committee   will   be   pleased   to  meet  you  at  your  convenience  on   Monday. 
Yours  respectfully,  CIIAS.    POPE,    Chairman. 

^y.  II.  ALIJLSON,  Secretary. 
The  president  of  the  C.  P.  R.  company  and  myself  were  dropped  out  of 
the  negotiations  altogether. 

The  conciliation  committee  then  attempted  to  effect  a  settlement  between 
the  general  manager  and  your  committee.  The  basis  of  settlement  proposed 
by  the  general  manager,  and  recommended  by  the  conciliation  committee,  Is 
as  follows:  — 

WHAT  THE  CONCILIATION  MEN  THOUGHT   FAIR   AVHEN   TOLD    BY    A   GENERAL 

MANAGER  HOW  TO  THINK. 

Montreal,   13th   August,   1901. 

The  second  vice-president  and  general  manager  will  approve  circular  setting  out  the 
rates  of  pay  for  trackmen,  in  accordance  with  his  letter  of  June  12th,  and  also  reciting 
rules  aud  regulations  governing  the  employment  and  service  of  the  trackmen,  and  at 
the  end  of  one  year  from  this  date,  if  the  trackmen  of  the  Canadian  Pacific  Railwa.v 
Compan.v  have  effected  a  responsible  and  workable  organization,  the  company  will  meet 
a  committee  and  grant  them  a  schedule;  provided,  however,  that  such  schedule  shall 
onl.v  apply  to  foremen  and  first  and  second  men  of  one  year's  standing  in  the  company's 
service,  and  neither  the  schedule  nor  any  of  its  conditions  shall  apply  to  others  em- 
ployed either  on  section  work  or  on  extra  gangs,  nor  shall  any  committee  representing 
the  organization  at  any  time  Interfere,  or  attempt  to  interfere  with  the  relations  between 
the  company  and  employes  in  its  maintenance-of-way  department,  to  whom  the  sa'd 
schedule   will   not    appl.v   as  above   set   forth. 

The  compan.v  will  re-instate  all  men  in  their  respective  positions,  provided  such 
positions  have  not  been  filled  under  promise  of  permanenc.v  during  the  absence  of 
strikers.  In  the  case  of  positions  having  been  filled,  the  company  will  give  such  re- 
maining men  preference  in  filling  other  similar  positions  as  near  to  their  old  location  as 
possible.     This    clause    not    applicable    to    those  who  have  been  guilty  of  violence. 

The  fact  that  men  have  been  engaged  in  the  strike  shall  not  prejudice  their  posi- 
tions once   the.v   are   restored   to   the  service. 

The  comi)aiiy  will  alwa.vs  be  glad  to  meet  any  committee  of  its  employes,  whether 
engaged  in  the  maintenauce-of-way  or  any  other  department,  for  the  purpose  of  discuss- 
ing suggestions  calculated  to  remove  any  disadvantages  under  which  the  men  may  labor, 
or  to  promote  the  interests  of  the  company. 

(Signed)  D.    McNICOLL, 

Second  Vice-Pres.  &  General  Mgr. 

Mr.    CHARLES    POPE,    Chairman    Conciliation   Committee,    Montreal. 

1  Enc. 

To  be  Embodied  in  the  Rules   aud   Regulations. 

13.    Employes  suspended  or  discharged  will  have  the  right  of  appeal  from  the  decision  , 
of  their   immediate   superiors.  (Signed)  D.    McN. 

The  next  day  (August  14th)  according  to  the  conciliation  committee's  re- 
port, the  following  letter  was  received: 

Montreal.  14th  August.  1901. 
Dear  Sirr^Agreeable  to  .your  suggestion,   I    will    include. 
All    section    men    in   yards    who   take    second  men's  rating,  amoug  those  to  whom   the 


Turned  On  by  a  Railway  Trackman.  101 

schedule  referred   to  in   my   memo  to  you  of  13tli   August,    may    bo   made   applicable. 
I  will  add  to  Rule  4,  the  following: — 

Where  lamps  are  located  at  a  distance  from    trackmen's    residence,    they    will    bo    at- 
tended   to   in    regular    working   hours. 

I   will  also  insert  following  notice   in  circulars   of    rules   and    rates: — 
"Above  rules  and  rates   will  not   \>c  ehangi'd    without    thirty   days'    notice." 

Yours   truly,  D.   McNICOLL, 

Second  Vice-Pres.  &  General  Mgr. 
Mr.    CHARLES    PORE,    Chairman    Conciliation  Committee,    Montreal. 

The  basis  of  settlemeut  proposed  by  the  coiiciliatiou  committee  to  the 
president  of  the  C.  P.  Ry.  ■o'as  not  made  l^uowu  to  the  maintenance-of-way 
men's  representatives,  nor  did  we  liiiow  anything  about  their  sending  the  above 
letter  to  President  Shauglmessy,  until  after  they  had  left  Montreal. 

The  above  shows  conclusively  that  until  the  general  manager  arrived  in 
Montreal  the  members  of  the  conciliation  committee  Avere  desirous  of  effecting 
a  fair  and  an  honorable  settlement  between  the  company  and  the  men,  after 
which  time,  it  seems,  tliey  lost  control  of  themselves  and  did  all  in  their  power 
to  carry  out  his  instructions,  notwithstanding  their  pledge  to  try  and  effect  a 
fair  and  proper  settlement. 

Their  demanding  that  I  should  leave  town  within  twenty-four  hours  is  of 
little  concern  to  me.  I  did  not  come  to  Montreal  at  their  solicitation,  nor  do 
I  intend  to  leave  the  city  at  their  request.  I  came  here  in  obedience  to  the 
demands  of  the  members  of  our  own  organization,  and  propose  to  remain  here 
and  serve  them  to  the  best  of  my  ability. 

The  representative  of  the  B.  of  R.  T.  declined  to  sanction  the  report  of  the 
conciliation  committee. 

We  have  received  a  letter  from  a  correspondent  in  Rat  Portage,  advising 
us  that  the  general  chairman  of  the  O.  R.  C.  was  deposed  at  a  meeting  held 
in  that  town  a  few  days  ago,  and  another  representative  chosen  to  take  his 
place,  who  was  instructed  to  pull  the  Order  out  of  the  disgraceful  hole  into 
which  it  had  been  placed  through  the  action  of  its  general  chairman. 

The  members  of  the  joint  protective  boards  of  the  other  Orders  have  ar- 
rived in  Montreal.     We  do  not  know  what  course  they  will  ptirsue. 

Pay  no  attention  to  any  one  who  attempts  to  make  you  believe  that  your 
representatives  in  Montreal  are  unreasonable.  Our  proposal  to  submit  the 
case  to  impartial  arbitration  will  convince  all  fair-minded  men  that  we  are 
NOT   UNREASONABLE. 

We  have  at  all  times  been  anxious  to  make  a  fair  and  honorable  settle- 
ment with  the  company,  but,  at  the  same  time,  THERE  WILL  BE  NO  DIS- 
GRACEFUL SURRENDER   UPON  OUR  PART. 

If  the  members  of  the  other  Orders  aid  us  in  effecting  a  fair  and  honorable 
settlement,  their  services  will  lie  appreciated;  but  if  they  attempt  to  brow-beat 
us  into  accepting  sucli  terms  as  were  proposed  by  tlie  general  manager,  and 
recommended  by  the  conciliation  committee  a  few  days  ago,  their  recommenda- 
tions will  be  rejected  and  the  strilce  will  be  contintied  indefinitely. 

We  are  not  asking  for  mercy;   we  are  contending  for  justice.     Our  people 

are  industrious,   self-respecting   men;    they   want   work   under  fair  conditions, 

and   if   they   cannot   obtain   it   from   one   employer,   it  can    be   obtained   from 

another. 

The  C.   P.   R.   will  sustain  a   greater  loss  in   doing  without  your  services 

than  you  will  in  seeking  employment  elsewhere.  In  fact,  the  maintenance-of- 
■way  'men  on  the  system  will  win  in  the  contest  if  they  do  not  defeat  them- 
selves hv  returning  to  work  before  a  fair  settlement  is  reached. 


102  THE  CALCIUM  LIGHT 

Do  not  be  surprised  if  you  bear  of  tbo  joiut  protective  boards  of  some  of 
the  other  Orders  indorsing  the  company's  actions  to\A-ards  the  traclimen.  It 
is  not  an  uucommou  tiling  for  some  people  to  sharpen  their  tools  on  their 
neighbor's  grindstone.  Yours  in  B.  L.  &  U., 

JOHN  T.  WILSON,  President  B.  R.  T.  of  A. 

About  this  time  P.  H.  Morrissej',  grand  master  of  the  Brotherhood 
of  Railway  Trainmen,  arrived  in  Montreal  and  called  upon  the  presi- 
dent of  the  B.  R.  T.  of  A.  at  the  Grand  Union  Hotel.  After  perusing 
the  basis  of  settlement  i)roposed  by  the  vigilance  committee,  he  said 
he  did  not  believe  they  expected  the  maintenance-of-way  men's  rep- 
resentatives would  accept  such  terms  as  were  offered  by  the  manager 
and  recommended  by  them,  and  advised  the  writer  not  to  contend  for 
ver}'  much  in  the  way  of  increased  wages  for  the  maintenance-of-way 
men.  "Twelve  years  ago,"  he  said,  "members  of  the  Brotherhood  of 
Railway  Trainmen  on  the  C.  P.  Ry.  system  only  received  fl.lO  a  day, 
and  were  often  required  to  work  all  day  and  half  the  night,  and  it  was 
about  two  years  after  they  secured  recognition  before  their  wages 
were  increased  very  much."  He  contended  that  if  the  maintenance-of- 
way  men  on  the  C.  P.  Ry.  would  not  stick  together  and  perfect  their 
organization  with  the  understanding  that  there  would  be  a  general 
revision  of  the  wage  schedule  in  six  months,  or  a  year,  they  were  not 
capable  of  self-government  and  unworthy  of  the  protection  of  the 
Brotherhood  of  Railway  Trackmen  of  America. 

After  holding  a  conference  with  the  C.  P.  Ry.  officials,  the  board 
of  adjustment  of  the  B.  R.  T.  called  on  the  maintenance-of-way  men's 
committee  and  stated  that  if  the  committee  would  send  the  following 
letter  to  the  manager,  the  terms  of  settlement  proposed  therein  would 
be  accepted: 

If  the  Canadian  Pacific  Railway  company  will  agree  to  reinstate  within 
two  weeks  men  who  quit  work,  and  who  have  not  been  guilty  of  violence,  and 
who  offer  for  work  at  once,  in  the  positions  and  dwellings  they  were  in  prior 
to  17th  ,Iune,  it  being  understood  that  some  readjustment  of  sections  may  be 
necessary  to  do  this  to  carry  out  promises  of  permanency  to  other  hands; 
and  further. 

If  the  company  will  agree  to  give  us  a  schedule  at  the  end  of  six  months, 
instead  of  one  year,  on  the  terms  and  conditions  as  set  out  in  Mr.  McNicoU's 
letters  of  13th.  14th  and  17th  August,  1901.  to  the  chairman  of  the  conciliation 
committee,  and  to  carry  out  the  other  conditions  in  said  letters,  the  committee 
of  Canadian  Pacific  trackmen,  of  Avhich  I  am  the  chairman,  will  immediately 
call  off  strike. 

The  terms  of  the  above  letter  w-ere  not  considered  satisfactory,  and 
the  following  letter  was  prepared  and  handed  to  the  chairman  of  the 

board  of  adjustment  of  the  B.  R.  T.: 

Montreal,  August  29,  1901. 
Mr.  D.  McNicolI,  Second  Vice-President  and  General  ^Manager,  C.  P.  Ry.  • 

Dear  Sir:     A  letter  prepared  by  you,  and  presented  to  me  by  Mr.  T.  J. 


Turned  On  by  a  Railway  Trackman,  103 

Couglilln.  chairman  of  the  board  of  adjustment.  Brotherhood  of  Railway  Train- 
men. Canadian  Facific  Railway,  pertaining-  to  the  calling  off  of  the  strike  of 
the  maintenance-of-way  men  on  the  Canadian  Pacific  Railway,  for  my  signa- 
ture, does  not  meet  with  the  approval  of  the  members  of  onr  committee. 

Referring  to  the  first  paragrai)h  of  said  letter  Avhich  reads  as  follows: 
If  the  Canadian  Tacific  Railway  Company  will  agree  to  re-instatc  M'ithin  two  weeks 
nu-n  who  quit  work,  and  who  have  not  been  !,'uilty  of  violence,  and  who  offer  for  work 
at  once,  in  the  positions  and  dwcllin.irs  they  were  in  prior  to  17th  .Tune,  it  being  under- 
stood that  some  readjustment  of  sections  may  be  necessary  to  do  this  to  carry  out 
promises   of   permanency    to   other   hands. 

This  is,  we  believe,  as  nuich  as  we  could  expect  under  the  circumstances, 

so  far  as  reinstating  the  men  is  concerned. 

Your  proposition  pertaining  to  tht-  reinstatement  of  the  men  is.  practically, 
the.  adoption  of  the  first  clause  of  the  basis  of  settlement  proposed  by  the 
general  chairmen  of  the  B.  L.  E.,  O.  R.  C,  B.  L.  F.,  and  O.  R.  T.  The  basis 
of  settlement  proposed  by  them  (the  general  chairmen)  was  not  made  known 
to  us  until  Friday  of  last  week  (August  23rd),  when  we  received  a  copy  of 
the  conciliation  committee's  report  through  the  courtesy  of  a  member  of  one 
of  the  Orders. 

The  basis  of  settlement  proposed  by  the  conciliation  committee,  according 
to  their  report,  dated  August  19th.  1901.  is  as  follows: 

1st.  Every  man  who  has  gone  out  on  strike,  or  who  has  voted  to  strike,  or  who  has 
been  discharged  for  refusing  to  take  the  place  of  a  striker,  to  be  reinstated  with- 
out   prejudice. 

2nd.  The  company  to  recognize  and  deal  with  the  properly  authorized  committees 
of  the  Brotherhood  of  Railway  Trackmen  of  America  employed  on  the  Canadian  Pacific 
Railway. 

3rd.  All  matters  relating  to  the  conditions  of  service  and  compensation  therefor  to 
be  adjusted  by  an  impartial  and  practical  body    of    men    mutually    agreeable    to    parties 

interested    within days. 

In  a  letter  commenting  upon  tlie  basis  of  settlement  proposed  by  the  gen- 
eral chairmen  of  the  other  Orders,  over  the  signatures  of  Chas.  Pope,  chairman, 
and  W.  H.  Allison,  secretary,  and  addressed  to  President  Shaughnessy,  accord- 
ing to  their  report,  they  state: 

As  representatives  of  organized  labor  we  are  naturally  guided  to  a  certain  extent 
l)y  precedents,  and  by  making  proposition  as  basis  of  settlement,  we  felt  that  we  were 
asking  only  for  the  trackmen  what  other  organizations   had    been   granted. 

Now  that  we  have  practically  agreed  upon  the  first  clause  of  the  basis  of 
settlement  proposed  by  the  conciliation  committee,  our  committee  will  accept 
the  other  two  clauses,  or.  in  other  words,  we  will  accept  the  basis  of  settlement 
proposed  by  the  conciliation  committee  in  its  entirety,  as  above  set  forth,  if 
the  company  will  do  likewise. 

The  strike  has  lasted  entirely  too  long.  The  public,  the  company,  and  the 
men  are  all  suffering  on  account  of  it.  The  public  has  filed  complaints  with 
us.  and  we  suppose  the  company  has  received  more  complaints  of  a  similar 
nature  than  we  have. 

If  the  strike  is  called  off  at  once  it  will  take  our  very  best  efforts  to  put 
the  track  in  proper  condition  to  handle  the  fall  and  winter  traffic  with  safety 
before  the  snow  begins  to  fall. 

Therefore,  being  interested  in  the  welfare  of  the  company  and  the  rights 
of  the  public,  as  well  as  ourselves,  we  will  cheerfully  accept  any  basis  of  set- 
tlement tlint  seems  to  us  to  be  fair  and  lionorable  to  both  llie  company  and 
the  maintenance-of-way  men.  Yours  tndy. 

J.  LENNOX.  Chairman  of  Committee. 


104  THE  CAI.CIUM  LIGHT 

The  general  manager  replied  as  follows: 

Montreal,  29th  August,  1901, 
Mr.  J.  Lennon,  Grand  Union  Hotel,  Montreal. 

Dear  Sir:  I  acknowledge  receipt  of  your  letter  of  29tli  August.  I  will 
not  deal  with  the  inaccurate  statements  contained  therein,  one  of  which  Mr. 
Coughliu  advised  me  he  drew  j^our  attention  to,  but  will  simply  express  my 
regret  that  you  have  seen  tit  to  reject  the  recommendation  of  the  committee 
of  trainmen,  who.  I  know,  have  been  conscientiously  laboring  in  your  behalf. 

Yours  truly, 
I).  McNICOLL,  Second  Vice-President  and  General  Manager. 

Tlie  cliairniaD  of  the  committee  replied  as  follows: 

Montreal,  August  29,  1901. 
Mr.  D.  McNicoll,  Second  Vice-President  and  General  Manager,  C.  P.  Ry. 

Dear  Sir:  In  preparing  a  letter  for  you  this  morning,  and  acknowledging 
receipt  of  a  letter,  or  rather  a  memo.,  presented  to  me  by  Mr.  T.  J.  Coughlin, 
chairman  of  the  board  of  adjustment  of  the  B.  of  R.  T.,  I  understood  that  the 
memo,  liad  been  prepared  by  you. 

In  your  letter  this  afternoon,  you  state  you  will  not  deal  with  the  "inaccu- 
rate statements  contained  therein." 

Will  you  please  define  what  you  consider  "inaccurate  statements"? 

If  you  desire  a  settlement  of  the  strike  of  the  maintenance-of-way  men  on 
the  Canadian  Pacific  Railway,  will  you  please  reduce  to  writing  the  terms  of 
settlement  you  are  willing  to  make,  making  the  terms  as  clear  as  possible,  so 
there  will  be  no  misunderstanding  about  the  matter.     Yours  truly, 

J.  LENNON,  Chairman  of  Committee. 

On  the  evening  of  August  20  the  members  of  the  board  of  ad- 
justment of  the  Brotherhood  of  Railway  Trainmen  and  the  mainte- 
nance-of-waj  men's  committee  held  a  session.  After  discussing  and 
deliberating  u\Hn\  the  difl'erent  jthases  of  the  situation  the  following 
letter  was  agreed  upon,  and  next  morning  (August  30)  it  was  presented 
to  the  general  nuinager  by  the  chairman  of  the  board  of  adjustment  of 
theB.  R.  T.: 

Grand  Union  Hotel.  :Montreal.  August  30.  1901. 
Mr.  D.  McNicoll,  Second  Vice-President  and  General  Manager,  C.  P.  Ry.  Co. 

Dear  Sir:  If  the  Canadian  Pacific  Railway  Company  will  agree  to  rein- 
state within  two  weeks  all  men  who  quit  work,  and  who  have  not  been  guilty 
of  violence,  and  who  offer  for  work  at  once,  in  the  positions  and  dwellings 
they  were  in  prior  to  17th  .June,  it  being  understood  that  some  readjustment 
of  sections  may  be  necessary  to  do  this  to  carry  out  promises  of  permanency 
to  other  hands;   and  further. 

If  the  company  will  agree  to  give  us  a  schedule  at  the  end  of  six  months, 
instead  of  one  year,  on  the  terms  and  conditions  as  set  out  in  Mr.  McNicoll's 
letters  of  13th.  14th  and  17  August.  1901.  to  the  chairman  of  the  conciliation 
committee  and  to  carry  out  the  other  conditions  in  said  letters. 

The  committee  of  Canadian  Pacific  trackmen,  of  which  I  am  the  chair- 
man, Avill  immediately  call  off  strilce. 

JOSEPH  LENNON,  Chairman  of  Committee. 


Turned  On  by  a  Railway  Trackman.  105 

The  j^eiieral  maiiagx'r  replied  us  follows: 

Montreal,  30tli  August,  1901. 
Mr.  Joseph  Lenuon,  Chainnan  Traeknieu's  Committee. 

Dear  Sir:  1  aeeept  the  proposition  eontained  in  your  letter  to  me  of  this 
date,  and  hereby  agree  to  reinstate  witliin  t\\o  weeks  all  men  who  quit  work, 
aud  who  have  not  been  guilty  of  violence,  and  Avho  offer  for  work  at  once,  in 
the  i)ositions  and  dwellings  they  were  in  prior  to  the  17th  .Tune,  it  being  under- 
stood that  some  readjustment  of  sections  may  be  necessarj-  to  do  this  to  carry 
out  promises  of  permanency  to  other  hands. 

I  further  agree  to  give  the  trackmen  a  schedule  at  the  end  of  six  months 
instead  of  one  year,  on  the  terms  and  conditions  as  set  forth  in  my  letters  of 
13th,  14th  aud  17th  of  August,  1901.  to  the  chairman  of  the  conciliation  com- 
mittee, and  to  carry  out  the  other  conditions  in  said  letters. 

1  now  understand  that  your  committee  will  at  once,  in  accordance  with 
your  letter  above  referred  to,  call  the  strike  oft\  Yours  truly, 

D.  McNICOLL,  Second  Vice-President  and  General  Manager. 

The  following  letter  was  sent  to  Mr.  McNicoll : 

Montreal,  August  30,  1901. 
Mr.  D.  McNicoll,  Second  Vice-President  aud  General  Manager.  C.  P.  Ry. 

Dear  Sir:  Your  favor  of  even  date  received  notifying  us  that  oiu'  proposi- 
tion setting  forth  the  conditions  on  which  the  strike  of  maintenance-of-way 
men  would  be  declared  off.  was  accepted  by  you. 

An  official  notice  of  the  strike  being  declared  oft"  is  now  in  the  bauds  of 
the  printer,  aud  will  be  sent  out  by  mail  as  soon  as  possible. 

Please  accept  our  thanks  for  the  concessions  you  have  made. 

Your  agreement  to  reinstate  all  men  who  have  not  been  guilty  of  crime  in 
the  positions  and  dwellings  they  were  in  prior  to  17th  of  .Tune.  is.  the  com- 
mittee cousiders.  very  generous. 

We  assure  you  that  our  best  endeavors,  will  be  put  forth  to  encourage  the 
men  to  render  faithful  service,  and  work  for  the  promotion  of  the  interest  of 
the  company.  Yours  truly, 

J.  LENNOX.  Chairman  of  Maiutenance-of-Waj'  Men's  Com. 

The  manager  replied  as  follows: 

Montreal.  31st  August.   1901. 
Ml".  .Joseph  Lennon.  Grand  Union  Hotel.  Montreal. 

Dear  Sir:  I  have  your  letter  of  30th  August,  and  am  pleased  to  have  your 
assurances. 

Before  you  leave  town  I  would  like  to  have  a  conversation  with  you. 

Yours  truly,  D.  McNICOLL. 

The  following  message  was  then  piepared  by  the  maintenance-of- 
way  men's  committee  and  forwarded  to  the  manager  with  authority 
for  it  to  be  sent  to  all  maintenance-of-way  men  on  the  C.  P.  Ry.  system, 
over  the  signature  of  the  chairman  of  the  trackmen's  committee: 

An  agreement  has  been  reached  between  your  committee  and  the  general 
manager.  The  strike  is  declared  off.  Official  notice  by  mail.  All  hands  may 
renort  for  dutv  at  once.  J.  LENNON,  Chairman  of  Committee. 


106  THE  CAI.CIUM  UGHT 

About  2:30  p.  m.  on  the  afternoon  of  August  30  the  following  no- 
tice to  resume  work  was  prepared  and  given  to  the  printei-: 

Montreal,  Aiignst  30.  1901. 
To  all  Maintenance-of-Way  Men  on  the  C.  P.  Rj\: 

Your  committee  representing  the  maintenance-of-Avay  men  on  the  C.  F. 
RaihAay  system,  and  the  general  manager  have  reached  an  agreement  by 
which  all  men  not  guilty  of  crime  are  to  be  reinstated  in  their  former  positions 
and  dwellings  within  two  weelis.  without  prejudice. 

The  strilve  is  hereby  declared  otf. 

You  are  hereby  instructed  to  report  for  dvity  at  once. 

Let  lis  convince  the  officials  by  faithful  and  efficient  service  that  we  are 
entitled  to  tlie  recognition  received,  and  to  be  dealt  with  in  the  same  manner 
other  classes  of  their  employes  are  dealt  with. 

The  basis  of  settlement,  with  a  full  explanation  will  be  sent  to  all  con- 
cerned as  soon  as  possible. 
[Seall  J.  LENNON,  Chairman. 

VOTE  OF  THANKS. 

Montreal,  September  2,  1901. 
To  the  Members  of  the  Board  of  Adjustment  of  the  Brotherhood  of  Railway 
Trainmen: 
Dear  Sirs  and  Brothers:  The  members  of  the  joint  protectiA^e  board  of 
the  maintenance-of-way  department  employes  on  the  Canadian  Pacific  Railway 
beg  to  tender  you  a  hearty  vote  of  thanks  for  the  efficient  service  rendered  by 
your  board  in  our  struggle. 

Wishing  you  every  success.  Yours  fraternally, 

J.  LENNON,  Chairman  Committee. 
A.  F.  STOUT,  Secretary  Committee. 


CHAPTER  XII. 

LETTERS,   RESOLUTIONS  AND  COMMENTS. 

To  enable  the  reader  of  this  voliiuie  to  more  fully  comprehend  the 
situalion  growing  out  of  the  strike  of  the  maiutenance-of-way  em- 
ployes of  the  C'.  P.  Ry.  the  character  of  the  opposition  which  had  to  be 
overcome  and  the  extent  to  which  C.  P.  Ry.  influence  dominated  the 
opinions  of  certain  newspajjers  and  certain  self-styled  public-spirited 
citizens,  the  author  reproduces  a  number  of  letters,  resolutions,  inter- 
views, extracts  from  press  comments,  etc.,  both  favorable  and  unfav- 
orable to  the  maintenance-of-way  men's  representatives  and  the  presi- 
dent of  the  B.  R.  T.  of  A.  They  relate,  in  a  large  measure,  to  the 
recommendations  of  the  conciliation  committee  and  their  rejection  by 
the  committee  representing  the  trackmen: 

From  all  that  is  coming  out.  President  Wilson  of  the  International  Brother- 
hood of  Railway  Trackmen  seems  to  be  little  better  than  a  criminal  in  regard 
to  his  conduct  in  connection  with  the  strilie  of  the  C.  P.  R.  trackmen. 

He  promoted  a  strike  of  men  who  were  getting  more  pay  than  men  doing 
the  same  Avork  on  other  Canadian  railways.  The  fact  was  admitted  in  a  cir- 
cular issued  ])y  tlie  trackmen's  committee. 

He  made  no  attempt  to  get  arbitration,  and  two  days  after  the  strike  began 
he  refused  to  agree  to  arbitration,  saying  it  was  too  late. 

He  allowed  representatives  of  the  other  railway  labor  unions  to  act  as  a 
conciliation  committee,  then  influenced  the  stiikers  to  repudiate  the  conciliation 
committee's  finding  and  recommendation. 

If  President  Wilson,  who  comes  from  across  the  line,  were  a  fair  sample 
of  the  American  labor  agitator,  no  wonder  would  need  to  be  felt  at  exhibitions 
of  folly  or  jaundice  in  labor  troubles  there. — Ottawa  Journal. 


A  professional  labor  man  came  over  from  the  United  States  and  brought 
on  a  strike  among  the  trackmen  of  the  C.  P.  R.,  a  railway  which  paid  its  track- 
men the  liighest  scale  in  Canada.  The  strike  lasted  several  months  and  then 
a  conciliation  committee  representing  some  of  the  other  union  men  in  the  rail- 
way's employ  took  a  hand  to  settle  it.  The  committee  found  that  the  pro- 
fessional labor  man  was  obstructing  a  settlement  and  refused  to  go  on  until 
he  ceased  interfering.  Tlien  the  conciliation  committee  settled  the  whole 
trou])le  with  neatness  and  despatch.  The  trackmen  have  got  their  union  recog- 
nized and  practically  all  tliey  were  wanting,  which  causes  the  Citizen  to  again 
point  out  to  Canada  Unionists  that  it  is  perhaps  not  always  in  their  best  in- 
terests to  strilce  because  an  aml)itious  embryo  Eugene  V.  Debs  comes  over 
here  to  try  his  prentice  hand  in  managing  a  strike.  Only  for  Wilson  we  be- 
lieve the  trackmen  would  have  got  what  they  wanted  without  a  strike.  Nine 
times  out  of  ten  employers  will  deal  in  a  more  amicable  spirit  with  their  men, 
where  the  interposition  of  nn  imported  agitator  will  increase  instead  of  allay- 
ing friction. — Ottawa    Citizen. 


108  THE  CAI.CIUM  LIGHT 

"The  trackmen  liaven't  a  leg  to  stand  on."    That's  what  the  company  says. 

"We  stand  pat;  and  are  awaiting  arbitration.  Wilson  won't  go,"  says  a 
mainteuance-of-way  man. 

Thus  may  tlie  situation  be  summed  up  today. 

"I  thinli  the  conciliation  committee  have  been  vei-y  fair  to  both  sides," 
remariied  Mr.  McNicoll,  second  vice-president  and  general  manager,  today. 
"We  accepted  them,  have  accepted  their  decision,  and  are  willing  to  abide  by 
it.  From  the  nature  of  their  complaint  it  is  quite  evident  that  they  have 
located  where  the  difficulty  rests  (meaning  the  president  of  the  B.  R.  T.  of  A.), 
and  they  are  endeavoring  to  remove  it  outside  the  city." 

"Is  the  strike  impeding  traffic?" 

"No,  we  are  taking  care  of  all  that  comes  along.  We  have  yet  to  see  the 
day  when  we  are  going  to  lie  down  to  anything  of  this  nature.  We  have 
moved  20,000  laborers  for  the  harvest,  the  greatest  activity  prevails  all  along 
the  road  out  west  and  what  with  special  excursions  and  special  trains  with 
threshers,  we  are  having  a  busy  time  of  it." 

"What  is  the  situation  this  morning?"  Mr.  Wilson,  president  of  the  B.  R. 
T.  of  A.,  was  asked.     "What  will  be  your  next  move?" 

"Our  committee  consider  tlie  demand  made  by  the  conciliation  committee 
that  the  president  of  their  organization  be  repudiated  an  insult  and  have 
passed  a  resolution  ignoring  it  altogether.  The  ball  fired  at  us  by  the  con- 
ciliation committee  was  in  our  opinion  fixed  up  by  the  general  manager  of  the 
C.  P.  R.  A  great  many  of  the  employes  of  the  railway  company  wear  corpora- 
tion collars.  They  are  like  soldiers;  they  obey  all  orders  received  from  a 
superior  officer  in  matters  of  this  kind.  When  justice  is  at  stake  they  do  not 
possess  enough  courage  to  call  their  souls  their  own.  The  corporation  boss 
cracks  his  whip  and  they  jump.  An  attempt  was  made  by  the  general  manager 
to  use  the  general  chairmen  of  the  other  orders  with  a  view  to  defeat  the 
trackmen  some  time  ago.  He  met  three  of  them  at  Winnipeg  and  they  agreed 
upon  a  plan  which  they  thought  would  settle  the  strike  without  hearing  the 
men's  side  of  the  case.  Two  of  the  general  chairmen  did  not  participate  in 
that  conference.  They  seemed  to  take  offence  at  being  ignored,  and  demanded 
that  an  official  meeting  should  be  held  in  Montreal.  This  I  know  to  be  true 
because  I  dictated  the  messages  and  letters  that  brought  them  here.  We  think 
they  have  done  good  work  for  the  trackmen." 

"It  is  rumored  that  two  of  your  men  are  not  in  harmony  with  your  action." 

"The  committee  stands  pat." 

"What  is  your  next  move?" 

"We  are  awaiting  an  answer  to  our  communication  asking  for  arbitration, 
and  are  here  to  stay." 

"It  must  be  costing  some  money?" 

"We  are  in  no  way  hampered  for  funds.  When  we  are,  we  only  have  to 
make  another  assessment.  None  of  our  men  are  suffering.  All  of  them  who 
desire  are  working." 

"On  the  C.  P.  R.?" 

"No.  in  the  fields  at  the  harvest,  and  on  other  roads;  not  a  man  is  suffering 
and  we  have  all  the  money  we  require." — Montreal  Star. 


Disappointment  will  be  felt  that  the  conciliation  committee  failed  to  find 
a  satisfactory  solution  of  the  differences  between  the  aiithorities  of  the  Cana- 


Turned  On  by  a  Railway  Trackman.  109 

dian  Pacific  Railway  and  its  tracknit'ii.  Ttie  public  would  have  Avelcoined  a 
settlement  on  any  basis  that  would  have  been  accepted  by  both  sides,  for  it 
goes  without  saying  that  the  prolonged  struggle  must  entail  suffering  to  the 
men  and  their  families,  besides  impairing  the  efficiency  of  the  railways  at  a 
time  when  the  public  interest  demands  that  it  should  bo  specially  efficient. 
The  terms  offered  by  the  railway  company  and  recommended  by  the  concilia- 
tors for  acceptance  by  the  strikers  were  that  they  should  return  to  work  on 
the  basis  of  Mr.  McNicoll's  terms,  laid  down  on  the  12th  of  June  last,  and  a 
year  hence,  if  by  that  time  the  men  have  formed  a  "responsible  and  workable 
organization,"  the  company  will  meet  a  committee  thereof  and  grant  a  schedule. 
It  is  provided,  however,  that  the  schedule  when  made  shall  only  apply  to  fore- 
men and  first  and  second  men  of  one  year's  standing  in  the  company's  service. 
The  terms  were  also  accompanied  by  the  extraordinary  request  that  Mr.  Wilson, 
the  president  of  the  Trackmen's  Association,  who  has  hitherto  directed  the 
strike,  should  leave  Montreal  within  24  hours. 

There  is  really  not  much  use  discussing  the  terms  because  the  concluding 
condition  is  such  a  remarkable  one  that  it  occupies  the  whole  front  of  the 
stage. 

If  Mr.  Wilson  has  done  anything  to  forfeit  the  confidence  of  those  on 
behalf  of  whom  he  has  put  up  so  strenuous  a  fight,  the  news  has  not  yet 
reached  the  general  public.  Until  he  has  done  so,  it  Avould  be  impolitic,  to 
phrase  it  mildly,  for  the  men  to  allow  him  to  be  sacrificed  to  appease  those 
whose  hostilitj^  he  lias  incurred  in  their  service.  It  is  not  necessary  to  say 
much  about  it,  for  the  men  have  promptly  refused  to  repudiate  and  humiliate 
their  chief,  and  they  are  to  be  honored  for  doing  so.  The  committee  of  concilia- 
tion was  composed  of  the  chairmen  of  the  various  organizations  of  employes  on 
the  railway,  and  in  recommending  terms  accompanied  by  such  a  remarkable 
proviso  they  must  have  expected  that  they  would  be  required  to  publicly  explain 
why  they  did  so.  Some  one  or  more  persons  must  malvc  themselves  prominent 
in  conducting  a  strike,  but  if  strikers  allow  their  leaders  to  be  singled  out  for 
punishment,  it  would  soon  be  very  difficult  to  get  men  to  offer  themselves  up 
in  sacrifice. 

As  to  the  terms  ofi'ered  the  men.  the  public  would  doubtless  be  pleased  if 
they  saw  their  way  to  accepting  them,  but  we  can  scarcely  wonder  if  they 
are  not  particularly  struck  with  their  generosity.  All  that  they  would  gain 
by  their  summer-long  struggle  would  be  a  guarded  promise  that  a  year  hence 
the  company  woidd  recognize  a  union  composed  of  a  portion  of  the  trackmen 
and  would  treat  with  a  committee  representing  it  respecting  wages.  Without 
presuming  to  judge  between  the  men  and  the  company  we  feel  sure  that  the 
general  opinion  will  be  that  the  company  is  certainly  not  disposed  to  conuede 
much.  The  pulilic  interest  is  suffering  and  is  likely  to  suffer  more  by  reason 
of  this  strike;  the  men  are  prepared  to  submit  their  case  to  fair  arbitration 
and  we  certainly  think  that  the  company  should  accept  that  proposal. 

The  men  will  go  to  work  as  soon  as  that  proposal  is  accepted  and  await 
at  their  posts  the  result  of  the  arbitration,  and  accept  it  loyally  whatever  it 
may  be. — Toronto  (J lobe. 


The  World  is  glad  ty  see  that  the  Glo])e  is  also  with  the  striking  trackmen 
of  the  (\  P.  K.  Wliere  the  .Montreal  Star  is  we  do  not  know — probably  under 
the  Windsor  Station.     ((\  P.   It.  heado.uarters.) 


110  THE  CALCIUM  LIGHT 

Why  the  chief  executive  of  the  Trackmen's  Union  should  be  repudiated 
and  ordered  to  leave  Montreal  by  the  representatives  of  the  Associated  Brother- 
hoods has  not  yet  been  made  clear,  either  to  the  public  or  to  the  trackmen 
themselves.  But  there  are  people  who  suspect  treachery  and,  what  goes  with 
treachery — bribery. 

It  is  only  since  this  strike  began  that  the  public  have  learned  what  an  im- 
portant part  of  the  railway  organization  the  trackmen  really  are.  On  them 
devolves  the  duty  of  inspecting  the  roadbed  and  maintaining  it  in  such  a  shape 
as  to  ensure  the  public  safety.  The  C.  P.  It.  says  they  have  metr  enough  to 
do  the  work  of  the  strikers,  but  the  number  of  accidents  that  have  recently 
been  reported  is  not  consistent  with  this  statement.  As  a  matter  of  fact  the 
roadbed  of  the  C.  P.  11.  is  in  a  very  bad  shape;  so  much  so  that  all  sensible 
people  are  avoiding  the  line,  although  it  is  said  all  such  people  formerly  patron- 
ized it.  Not  only  do  the  men  perform  a  very  responsible  duty,  but  a  consid- 
erable amount  of  skill  is  necessary  in  the  discharge  of  their  duties.  The 
C.  P.  R.  has  recently  found  out  the  ordinary  unskilled  laborer  cannot  be  en- 
trusted .to  perform  the  work  of  the  trackmen.  He  must  be  trained  for  the 
work.  We  think,  therefore,  that  the  trackmen  are  fully  justified  in  asking 
for  better  pay  and  for  the  recognition  of  their  union,  just  as  the  trainmen,  the 
firemen,  the  engineers,  the  conductors,  the  telegraphers  have  been  recognized. 
That  they  are  willing  to  have  their  claims  left  to  arbitration  shows  that  they 
believe  in  the  justice  of  their  demands. 

Mr.  McXicoll,  Mr.  Shaughuessy  and  the  directors  are  determined  to  beat 
the  men  at  any  price. 

The  result  is  that  the  C.  P.  R.  is  becoming  demoralized;  that  travellers  are 
going  by  the  American  Pacitic  routes,  that  the  chief  officers  of  the  road  will 
not  ride  over  their  own  line  at  night. 

We  have  heard  before  of  what  is  called  an  American-Irish  slave-driving 
spirit  getting  possession  of  the  C.  P.  R.,  manifesting  itself  at  one  time  in  the 
Crow's  Nest  construction,  at  another  time  in  the  East,  and  now  in  the  way 
the  harvesters  sent  to  the  Northwest  are  treated. 

Mr.  Shaughnessy  and  Mr.  McNicoll  should  be  above  this,  and  Mr.  Osier  as 
a  director  should  not  allow  himself  to  be  made  a  party  to  it. 

The  first  thing  the  C.  P.  R.  knows  the  Duke  of  York  Avill  be  advised  to 
cancel  his  trii)  to  the  Coast. 

Hasn't  it  about  reached  a  stage  wheu  the  government  should  interfere? — 
Toronto  World. 


Tlie  developments  of  the  past  week  in  the  trackmen's  strike  situation  have 
been  of  great  interest  to  organized  lal)or.  Following  our  announcement  from 
Montreal  in  the  last  issue,  that  the  chairmen  of  the  railway  brotherhoods  had 
been  accepted  as  sole  arbitrators  in  the  matter,  came  the  news  of  the  rejection 
of  their  most  outrageoiis  recommendation  by  the  trackmen's  committee.  The 
acceptance  of  representatives  of  five  organizations  as  arbitrators  we  thougbt 
settled  the  question  of  recognition  of  the  trackmen.  Men  who  were  themselves 
the  officers  of  such  brotherhoods  could  not  arbitrate  whether  or  not  another 
should  be  recognized;  as  far  as  they  were  concerned  that  must  be  taken  for 
granted.  But  it  appears  that  they  were  only  conciliating  and  their  recommenda- 
tion was.  very  properly,  promptly  rejected.  It  included,  in  part,  this  proposi- 
tion:    That  men  who  had  been  on  strike  for  eight  weeks  and  had  surprised 


TuRNKD  On  by  a  Railway  Trackman.  Ill 

ovorybody  with  their  power  nnd  ability  to  act  as  a  brotherhood,  should  return 
to  work  and  give  the  eoiupauy  one  year  to  shatter  their  orgauizatiou  piecemeal, 
they  having  no  protection.  If  any  survived  they  could  strike  next  year;  if 
none  were  left,  why  the  object  of  the  company  would  be  attained.  It  reminds 
one  of  the  tale  of  the  young  lady  who  went  for  a  ride  on  a  tiger.  The  track- 
men iiave  (lone  so  well  that  they  deserve  to  win  or  to  be  beaten  while  still 
lighting.  The  proposition  that  was  put  before  them  was  similar  to  capital  pun- 
isliment  of  a  very  troublesome  subject  in  China;  they  invite  him  to  commit 
suicide.  Tlu'  tiacknu'u  wvw  invited  to  do  likewise;  to  get  off  the  earth  and 
relieve  the  situation. 

Although  there  is  lots  of  track  news  of  which  we  print  a  great  deal,  this 
only  takes  secondary  phne.  Interest  is  centered  in  Montreal  where  there  is  a 
great  gathering  of  brotherliood  men.  The  I'acitic  division  took  steps  early  to 
ensure  that  its  position  should  be  known,  and  sent  down  a  division  representa- 
tion of  every  brotherhood  to  press  for  a  settlement  "with"  the  trackmen,  not 
"of"  them.  Other  divisions  have  now  representatives  on  the  spot  independent 
of  the  general  chairmen.  On  Monday  night  last  an  important  joint  meeting  of 
all  railway  brotherhoods  was  held  in  Winnipeg.  No  information  is  given  out, 
but  it  is  known  that  the  meeting  was  almost  unanimous,  and  that  important 
issues  were  discussed  must  be  gathered  from  the  fact  that  during  the  week 
a  referendum  vote  had  been  taken  of  the  men  who  could  not  attend  the  meet- 
ing. 

The  statements  by  railway  officials  that  the  strike  is  practically  over  and 
the  track  is  in  good  shape  are  silly  in  the  extreme.  They  have  quite  a  lot  of 
men  working,  those  that  they  imported,  and  others  they  got  to  pay  their  own 
fares  by  the  excursion  method,  but  they  are  no  good  as  trackmen  and  without 
foremen  can  do  little  more  than  cut  the  weeds.  On  one  division  east  of  the, 
city  they  have  about  sixty  men  but  not  a  single  foreman,  and  so,  of  course, 
a  nearly  distracted  roadmaster.  If  one  of  these  officials  ever  publishes  all 
he  knows  about  this  strike  it  will  be  a  revelation  to  the  public.  Special  con- 
stables, secret  service  men,  spotters,  cross  reports,  and  general  distrust,  equal- 
ling any  preconceived  notions  of  Russian  methods  are  the  order  of  the  day. — 
Winnipeg  Voice. 


The  general  committee  of  the  C.  P.  It.  trackmen  now  on  strike  meets  in  secret 
session;  the  representatives  of  the  various  orders  of  trainmen  hold  mysterious 
seances;  railway  men  Hit  in  and  out.  nnd  gi'oup  themselves  together  and  wliis- 
per,  and  there  is  an  air  of  mystery,  and  the  Grand  Union  Hotel  is  an  exceed- 
ingly busy  center  these  days.  One  hears  it  said  that  the  representatives  of  the 
train  orders  who  are  in  session  have  demanded  the  presence  of  their  grand 
officers,  which  might  mean  a  great  deal;  that  the  Lanrier  Government  is  dis- 
posed to  interevene  to  have  the  strike  settled  before  the  arrival  of  the  Duke 
and    Duchess  of   Gornwall;    that  something  decisive   may   be   expected   before 

long. 

Indeed,  the  hotel  is  a   sort  of  whispering  gallery.     One  group  of  railway 

men  eyes  the  other  with  distrust;  two  men  are  in  the  corner;  a  trio  have  their 
heads  together  in  the  center  of  the  rotunda;  and  over  all  is  the  sense  of  ex- 
pectancy. 

Mr.  Wilson  said  to-day  that  things  were  lovely.  They  were  nearing  the 
goal  of  their  desires.  It  would  be  an  immense  gain  both  for  capital  and  labor 
if  they  could  bring  pressure  to  bear  upon  the  C  P.  R.  so  as  to  induce  the  com- 


112  THE  CALCIUM  I.IGHT 

pany  to  consent  to  arbitration.  Arbitration  was  what  they  were  aiming  at,  and 
it  was  wliat  tbej-  would  obtain.  The  C.  P.  R.  was  perhaps  the  greatest  rail- 
way corporation  in  the  world.  If  that  company  conld  be  induced  to  say  that 
it  did  not  claim  to  make  all  the  law  itself;  that  labor  had  a  voice  and  human 
rights;  and  that  it  was  willing  to  arbitrate  differences  between  itself  and  the 
men  wuo  helped  it  to  create  its  wealth — why,  that  would  be  of  such  an  educa- 
tional character  that  it  would  sound  the  death  knell  of  strikes.  For  if  tlie 
C.  P.  R.  arbitrated  differences  evei'y  other  smaller  organization  must  follow 
suit.  And  the  C.  P.  R.  would  offer  arbitration.  Of  that  he  was  convinced. 
Events  were  moving  in  that  direction.  Mr.  McNicoll  probably  did  not  fully 
understand  the  strength  of  the  forces  which  were  against  him.  He  could  not 
be  explicit,  but  certain  things  were  in  process  of  development.  For  himself, 
he  had  no  doubt  as  to  the  issue.  The  men  were  not  wanting  a  great  deal. 
They  wanted  fair  play.  They  wanted  a  living  wage.  They  wanted  reasonable 
terms  of  service,  so  that  they  might  know  where  they  stood.  This  strike  was 
intended  to  be  educational  in  its  effects.  The  moment  arbitration  was  con- 
ceded, he  would  bend  evei'y  energy  to  the  bringing  about  of  the  most  cordial 
relations  between  employes  and  employer.  He  had  no  revoluntionary  ideas 
to  impose  upon  the  men.  The  strike  could  have  been  conducted  in  such  a  way 
that  within  twenty-four  hours  from  its  inception,  the  whole  of  the  C.  P.  R. 
could  have  been  blocked  and  obstructed.  On  the  contrary,  it  was  conducted  in 
an  honorable  manner.  There  had  been  no  disturbance.  There  had  been  no 
acts  of  violence.  The  men  were  respectable,  law-abiding  citizens.  Their  case 
was  unanswerable.  As  for  himself,  he  remained  to  see  that  justice  was  done. 
He  had  no  other  object  in  view.  He  was  the  representative  of  plain  people,  and 
he  desired  to  stand  by  them  to  the  end. 

Mr.  Wilson  said  that  the  general  committee  and  himself  approved  of  the 
following  circular,  which  had  been  issued  by  Mr.  Lowe,  the  vice-president  of 
the  order. 

Montreal.   August  20.  1901. 
To  the  Citizens  of  Canada: 

Tlie  report  of  the  general  chairmen  of  the  other  orders  who  were  supposed  to  repre- 
sent employes  in  other  departments  on  the  C.  P.  Railway  is  very  unjust  to  the  track- 
men who  are  struggling  for  a  fair  share  of  the  wealth  they  help  to  create,  and  an  hon- 
orable  settlement. 

Their  contention  that  the  settlement  proposed  hy  the  general  manager  is  a  fair  one 
will,   no  doubt,   be  questioned   b.v   all   fair-minded    men. 

During  the  telegraphers'  strike  in  1S96  a  similar  basis  of  settlement  was  proposed  by 
the  compan.v  to  the  conciliation  committee,  who  were  trying  to  effect  a  settlement  be- 
tween the  company  and  the  telegraphers.  In  commenting  upon  it  in  their  report,  the 
following    paragraph    appears: 

"We  saw  at  once  that  this  proposition  would  never  be  accepted  by  the  telegraphers 
for  the  reason  that  it  left  practically  little  protection  for  a  great  number  of  the  striking 
operators  and  agents  and  provided  that  men  employed  during  the  existence  of  the  strike 
were  considered  permanent  employes  and  should  l)e  n>taiued  iu  their  service  in  preference 
to  men   who  have  gone  out  on  strike." 

The  gentlemen  who  were  acting  as  conciliators  had  too  much  respect  for  the  grand 
officers  and  the  committee  representing  the  telegraphers,  to  even  present  the  terms  pro- 
posed by  the  company  to  them,  and  in  lieu  thereof  they  prepared  what  they  considered 
a  fair   basis  of  settlement,   which  was  accepted  by  both  parties  to  the  controversy. 

The  grand  president  of  the  Brotherhood  of  Railway  Trackmen,  with  the  consent  of 
the  committee  representing  the  maintenance-of-way  men  on  the  C.  P.  R.,  has  proposed 
to  sumbit  the  differences  between  the  company  and  the  men  to  impartial  arbitration. 
That  should  convince  all  fair-minded  people  that  our  president  is  not  in  the  employ  of 
competing  transportation  companies,  and  that  if  our  committee  have  made  unreasonable 
demands  upon  the  company,   they  are  willing  to   abide  by   impartial  arbitration. 


Turned  On  by  a  Railway  Trackman.  113 

Instead  of  woakcniiiK  our  position,  the  report  of  the  eoncilintion  eommittee  will 
Strengthen  it.  As  to  the  insult  offered  to  our  president,  deniandiii},'  that  he  should  leave 
Montreal  within  twenty-four  liours,  this  simply  iuereases  our  conlidence  in  him,  and  we 
talie  it  as  a  compliment  paid  to  his  intelligence  and  ability  to  correctl.v  advise  the 
committee.  Messages  and  letters  are  being  received  from  members  of  the  Order  on  all 
parts  of  the  system  assuring  our  president  that  he  will  have  the  continued  support  and 
ct)ntidence  of  the  ukmi.  Wh.v  the  conciliation  committee  recommended  unconditional 
surrender  upon  the  part  of  the  trackmen  is  a  question  I  will  not  attempt  to  answer. 
Every  Brotherhood  man  I  have  met  is  indignant  over  the  action  taken  by  the  general 
chairmen,  and  especially  at  the  insult  offered  through  them  to  President  Wilson.  If 
they  were  influenced  to  take  such  a  course  by  the  general  manager,  I  predict  he  will 
discover  in  a  short  time  that  he  has  created  a  "boomerang"  for  himself.  The  end  is 
not  yet  by  any  means.  The  full  protective  board  of  Railway  Trainmen  is  in  Mon- 
treal, and  members  of  the  other  Orders  are  arriving  on  every  train.  It  is  reasonable  to 
suppose  that  as  soon  as  the  facts  in  the  case  are  known  such  steps  will  be  taken  as 
may  be  necessary  to   afford   protection  to  their  lives,  and  the  lives  of  the  traveling  public. 

I  have  just  returned  from  a  trip  out  West.  I  went  as  far  as  Brandon,  and  traveled 
over  all  the  branches  of  the  C.  P.  R.  system  in  Manitoba,  and  found  but  two  foremen, 
who  were  at  work  on  June  16th— before  the  strike  became  effective — at  work.  Not  a  single 
section  man  is  at  work.  The  foremen  have  all  left  the  section-houses  of  the  company 
in  Manitoba.  The  men  informed  me  they  would  not  return  to  work  until  instructed  to 
do   so  by  their  chairman   under   the  seal   of  the   Grand   Division. 

I  have  raised  a  family  in  Canada  l>y  honest,  hard  work;  am  a  citizen  of  Canada  and 
take  a  deep  interest  in  all  that  pertains  to  the  welfare  of  my  country.  Therefore  I  ap- 
peal to  all  honest  citizens  to  aid  us  in  our  efforts  to  secure  a  fair  and  honorable  settle- 
ment  with  the   C.   P.   Railway  company.  A.  B.   LOWE, 

Grand  Vice-President. 
—Montreal  Daily  Witness. 

At  a  meeting  of  the  citizens  of  the  town  of  Fort  ^yilliam,  held  in 
the  Town  Hall,  the  following  resolutions  were  unanimously  adopted: 

WHEREAS,  There  has  been  practically  no  work  done  on  the  line  of  rail- 
way and  roadbed  of  the  Canadian  Pacific  Railway  for  over  four  weelvs,  and 
same  is  now  and  has  been  in  such  a  condition  that  numerous  accidents  and 
delays  to  the  traveling  public,  trains,  and  mails,  have  already  happened,  and 
traffic  is  therebj-  being  diverted  over  United  States  Railways,  and  lives  and 
property  at  present  passing  over  the  Canadian  Pacific  Railway  Company's 
railway  are  imperiled  thereby;   and, 

WHP^REAS.  We,  the  citizens  of  the  town  of  Fort  William  in  public  meet- 
ing assembled,  think  the  time  has  come  when  the  government  should  interfere 
to  protect  lives  and  property  of  such  as  go  over  said  railway,  and  secure  to 
people,  proper,  safe  and  regular  service  for  passengers,  freight,  mails,  and 
express  over  said  road;  and, 

WHEREAS,  Large  numbers  of  alien  lal)orers  are  daily  being  lirought  in 
to  do  the  work  of  striliing  trackmen  along  the  line  of  the  Canadian  Pacific 
Railway  from  foreign  countries  in  contravention  of  the  alien  labor  law;  there- 
fore, be  it 

RESOLVED,  That  we  the  citizens  of  the  town  of  Fort  William  in  public 
meeting  assembled  do  hereby  protest  against  same  and  request  tlie  government 
to  forthwith  investigate  and  enforce  said  alien  labor  law. 

At  a  union  meeting  held  at  North  Baj^  July  25th,  1901,  by  B.  L. 
E.,  B.  L.  F.,  O.  R.  C,  O.  R.  T.  and  B.  R.  T.,  circular  from  chairmen  of 
boards  of  conciliation  of  aforenamed  organizations  was  read  and  the 
following  resolutions  were  adopted  and  forwarded  to  grand  officers: 


114  THE  CALCIUM  I^IGHT 

AVHEREAS,  Owing  to  the  inability  of  our  chairmen  of  joint  boards  of  con- 
ciliation to  effect  a  settlement  of  trackmen's  strike  and  deciding  to  remain  neu- 
tral. 

RESOLVED,  That  we  appeal  to  our  grand  officers  to  act  at  once  with  a  view 
to  a  settlement  of  existing  grievances  between  trackmen  and  company  and 
protection  to  the  members  of  our  organization; 

RESOLVED,  That  owing  to  failure  of  chairmen  of  joint  boards  of  concilia- 
tion to  act  according  to  instructions  sent  them  in  form  of  resolutions  adopted 
by  the  aforenamed  organizations  that  they  be  notified  that  we  do  not  consider 
their  actions  proper  protection  for  the  members  of  our  organizations  and  we 
have  appealed  to  our  grand  officers. 

The  following  were  unanimously  adopted  by  citizens  of  Smith's 
Falls,  Ont,  August  3,  1901: 

"WHEREAS,  The  president  of  the  Brotherhood  of  Railway  Trackmen  made 
it  clear  in  his  address  at  this  meeting,  that  the  main  cause  of  the  trouble  be- 
tween the  C.  P.  R.  and  its  maintenance-of-way  men  is  the  refusal  upon  the 
part  of  the  company  to  concede  them  the  right  to  have  anything  to  say  pertain- 
ing to  the  conditions  of  their  employment;  and, 

WHEREAS,  This  privilege  has  not  been  denied  to  any  other  class  of  their 
employes;   and 

WHEREAS.  Subject  to  the  recognition  of  their  Society,  the  maintenance-of- 
way  men  are  and  always  have  been  willing  to  have  the  terms  and  conditions 
of  their  agreement  with  the  company  (if  necessary)  fixed  by  impartial  arbitra- 
tion; and, 

WHEREAS,  The  present  state  of  affairs  is  to  be  deplored,  the  track,  of 
necessity,  being  out  of  repair,  not  having  been  looked  after  properly  by  ex- 
perienced men,  traffic  impeded,  accidents  frequent,  and  a  continuation  of  the 
friction  naturally  resulting  in  bringing  closer  a  crisis  which  would  be  regretted 
by  all.     Therefore,  be  it 

RESOLVED,  That  we,  as  citizens  of  Smith's  Falls,  assembled  at  this  meet- 
ing, and  desirous  that  the  present  trouble  be  terminated  at  once,  do  deplore 
the  existing  condition  of  affairs  bet«'een  the  company  and  its  striking  trackmen. 

RESOLVED,  That  we  consider  it  only  fair  and  in  the  interest  of  all  con- 
cerned that  the  maintenance-of-way  men  be  recognized  and  dealt  witli  by  the 
company  in  like  manner  as  is  the  case  with  all  other  classes  of  their  em- 
ployes. 

RESOLVED,  That  we  decry  the  importation  and  employment  by  them  of 
foreign  laborers  in  breach  of  the  alien  labor  law — men  who  contribute  nothing 
to  our  country  and  who  carry  their  earnings  to  the  United  States. 

RESOLVED,  That  we  consider  that  the  said  trackmen  are  entitled  to  our 
sympathy  in  their  effort  to  place  themselves  upon  an  equal  basis  with  other 
classes  of  workers. 

RESOLVED.  That  a  copy  of  these  resolutions  be  forwarded  to  the  presi- 
dent of  the  C.  P.  Railway  praying  favorable  consideration  therefor. 

RESOLVED,  That  if  the  company  declines  to  meet  the  trackmen  for  the 
purpose  of  a  settlement  along  the  lines  herein  stated,  as  it  is  appai'ent  that  the 
roadbed  has,  through  want  of  proper  attention,  become  out  of  repair,  and  a 
continuation  of  the  strike  will  naturally  increase  the  complaint,   that  a  copy 


Turned  On  by  a  Railway  Trackman.  115 

of  these  resolutions  be  forwarded  to  the  Mniisler  of  Uaihvays  with  a  request 
that  he  take  sueh  steps  as  may  be  necessary  to  leruiinate  the  difficulty  aud 
restore  the  safety  of  travel. 

The  following  resolution  was  adopted  at  a  mass  meeting  of  citi- 
zens of  Soiiris,  Manitoba,  August  15,  1901: 

WHEREAS,  The  strike  of  the  maintenance-of-way  men  on  the  C.  -P.  K. 
•system  having  now  lasted  almost  two  months,  and  the  track  being  in  such 
notoriously  bad  condition  that  neither  the  lives  of  the  traveling  public  nor 
those  of  the  men  handling  the  traffic  are  reasonably  safe;  and, 

"WHEREAS,  Unless  this  strike  is  soon  ended  and  the  track  put  into  work- 
lug  condition  before  our  severe  winter  comes  on,  we  view  with  alarm  the  pros- 
pect of  unsafe  railways  with  the  extra  heavy  traffic  that  is  in  store  for  this 
coming  fall  aud   winter;    tlierefore,  be  it 

RESOLVED,  That  we,  the  citizens  of  Souris,  in  the  face  of  such  public 
danger  to  life  and  property,  desire  that  the  Dominion  Government  exert  its 
intluence  towards  the  ending  of  such  a  dangerous  state  of  affairs. 

Also,  that  a  copy  of  this  resolution  be  forwarded  to  Sir  Wilfrid  Laurier, 
President  Shaughnessy  of  the  C.  P.  R.,  and  President  Wilson  of  the  Brother- 
hood of  Railway  Trackmen  of  America. 

The  following  letter,  sent  out  from  Vancouver  under  date  of  Au- 
gust 5,  1901,  resulted  in  a  vote  to  suspend  work  on  the  Pacific  division 
unless  the  company  made  speedy  settlement  with  its  striking  track- 
men : 

TO  ALL  MEMBERS  OP  THE  B.  L.  E.,  B.  L.  F.,  O.  R.  C,  B.  R.  T.,  and  O.  R.  T. 
—GREETING: 

Dear  Sirs  and  Brothers:  At  a  meeting  of  the  executive  officers  of  the 
above  orders  for  the  Pacific  Division  it  was  decided  to  poll  this  division  for 
an  expression  of  opinion  in  regard  to  supporting  the  trackmen  in  their  present 
strike. 

The  reason  for  this  radical  course  is  due  to  the  fact  that  the  C.  P.  R.  are 
making  strenuous  efforts  to  beat  the  trackmen  in  their  struggle  for  the  recog- 
nition of  their  organization  and  a  living  wage,  and  using  unlawful  means  to 
that  end.  also  trying  to  pit  one  organization  against  another  to  the  ultimate 
downfall  of  all. 

This  is  in  accordance  with  the  w^ell-known  policy  of  the  General  Managers' 
Association,  of  which  General  Manager  McNicoll  is  a  member.  So  we  take  it 
as  a  challenge  to  organized  labor  when  the  trackmen  are  refused  recognition 
in  their  demands,  and  it  is  anticipated  that  this  will  be  followed  by  a  further 
attmnpt  being  made  to  disrupt  the  older  organizations  on  the  same  lines  now 
being  used  against  the  ti'ackmeu. 

The  circular  letter  from  our  chairmen  of  the  boards  of  adjustment  at  Winni- 
peg, wherein  their  good  offices  as  a  conciliation  committee  were  refused  by 
Manager  McNicoll,  shows  very  plainly,  in  our  opinion,  that  the  time  has  ar- 
rived, for  us  to  do  something  substantial  by  sending  a  duly  authorized  repre- 
sentative from  each  of  the  orders  on  the  Pacific  Division  as  soon  as  the  poll  is 
secured,  to  confer  with  the  general  chairmen  and  to  use  most  effective  meas- 
ures at  once  to  terminate  this  strike,  as  the  operation  of  trains  is  now  becoming 
a  source  of  danger  to  all  trainmen. 


116  THE  CAI.CIUM  LIGHT 

Kindly  record  your  vote,  not  particularly  because  you  are  personally  in 
favor  of  assisting  the  tracl^meu  in  this  their  dark  hour  of  adversity  and 
trouble  by  a  cessation  of  worlv.  if  necessary,  but  for  the  protection  of  your 
own  organization  by  placing  your  bona  fide  signature  below. 

It  has  already  been  observed  that  the  report  of  the  vigilance  com- 
mittee was  a  deceptive  document,  gotten  up  for  the  purpose  of  aiding 
the  officials  in  their  efforts  to  make  the  maintenance-of-way  men  along 
the  line  believe  their  representatives  in  Montreal  declined  to  make  a 
fair  and  honorable  settlement  when  they  had  the  opportunity  to  do  so. 
The  vigilance  committee  attempted  to  prevent  the  trackmen's  com- 
mittee and  the  members  of  the  board  of  adjustment  of  the  B.  R.  T. 
from  getting  possession  of  a  copy  of  their  report.  The  writer  met  the 
chairman  of  the  vigilance  committee  at  the  door  of  Mr.  Bourdeau's 
printing  office,  and  asked  him  if  he  would  not  furnish  him  with  a  copy 
of  their  report.  He  replied:  "Yes,  but  it  will  not  be  ready  for  distri- 
bution for  a  day  or  two."  Mr.  Bourdeau  heard  him  make  the  state- 
ment and  informed  the  writer  that  the  conciliation  committee's  work 
was  delivered  the  day  before. 

According  to  reports  received,  the  report  of  the  vigilance  com- 
mittee, when  placed  in  the  hands  of  the  C.  P.  liy.  officials,  enabled  them 
to  create  general  dissatisfaction  among  the  men,  as  it  led  many  of  the 
members  of  the  B.  R.  T.  of  A.  to  believe  that  the  basis  of  settlement 
proposed  by  the  conciliation  committee  was  turned  down  by  the  track- 
men's representatives. 

The  following  are  samples  of  letters  received  expressing  dissatis- 
faction: 

I  think  the  strike  ought  to  be  settled  this  week  so  we  could  return  to  work 
on  Monday.  I  think  Wilson  made  a  terrible  mistake  when  he  left  it  to  the 
chairmen  of  the  other  Orders  and  then  did  not  accept  a  settlement.  If  there 
is  nothing  done  this  week  there  will  be  a  number  of  men  return  to  work,  sure, 
and  I  think  it  is  time  something  was  done.  Wilson  is  not  the  man  for  this 
business.     The  public  is  down  on  him. 


I  am  surprised  at  the  committee  and  Wilson  for  not  accepting  the  advice 
of  the  conciliation  committee.  I  think  what  they  offered  was  fair  to  the 
trackmen.  I  think  the  committee  had  better  send  Wilson  back  where  he  came 
from.  The  company  would  have  raised  our  wages  long  ago,  had  it  not  been 
for  the  interference  of  that  American — Wilson.  I  am  opposed  to  such  men  com- 
ing over  here  and  getting  us  into  trouble.  Myself  and  men  are  going  to  work 
next  week.  We  are  not  going  to  lose  any  more  time  on  account  of  foreigners 
who  have  no  interest  in  our  welfare. 


We  have  been  ten  weeks  on  strike  and  I  think  it  is  high  time  something 
was  done.     It  is  all  very  well  for  you  to  tell  us  to  hold  out,  but  we  have  not 


Turned  On  by  a  Railway  Trackman.  117 

done  any  work  for  the  past  ten  weeks.  You  and  the  committee  are  living  ou 
the  fat  of  the  hind,  in  a  tirst-chiss  hotel  in  Montreal,  while  we  have  to  pay 
for  it.  You  should  have  accepted  wliat  the  company  offered,  and  prevented  all 
this  trouble.  My  roadniaster  told  me  he  wanted  me  to  ^o  to  work  on  Monday 
and  if  I  did  not  it  would  be  my  last  chance.  Now  1  want  you  to  settle  this 
affair  at  once,  or  else  go  back  where  you  came  from.  We  don't  want  any 
Americans  over  here  to  run  our  business — we  can  do  that  ourselves.  You 
promised  us  tive  dollars  a  weeli  if  we  went  on  strike.  I  did  not  get  a  cent. 
1  want  you  to  send  me  fifty  dollars  at  once,  or  I  shall  go  to  work  on  Monday. 

There  is  a  great  deal  of  work  yet  to  be  done  by  the  fool-killers. 
The  following  letters  were  penned  by  loyal  and  courageous  Union- 
ists, aud  are  in  strong  contrast  with  those  above  quoted: 

Your  letter  of  the  18th  received,  and  1  must  say  that  I  feel  very  sorry  for 
Mr.  McNicoll  that  he  should  have  such  a  thorn  in  the  flesh  in  the  person  of 
our  :Mr.  Wilson.  You  can  rest  assured  tliat  we  are  not  going  to  be  out  for 
ten  weeks  and  then  go  back  to  work  without  some  settlement.  The  majority 
of  the  Brotherhood  men  up  here  are  greatly  disappointed  at  the  way  things 
have  come  out  in  Montreal.  They  say  something  is  radically  wrong  as  their 
chairmen  have  not  done  as  they  were  instructed  to  do  before  leaving  for 
Montreal. 

I  understand  that  several  more  comnntteemen  representing  the  other 
Brotherhoods  have  arrived  in  Montreal  to  try  and  bring  on  a  settlement.  We 
are  watching  things  very  closely.  I  can  tell  you  we  are  having  our  time  of 
temptation,  just  as  well  as  other  people. 

Enclosed  you  will  tind  a  circidar  I  received  this  morning  from  R.  H.  Lowe, 
which  is  a  very  nice  "bluff,"  but  it  won't  work.  I  wrote  a  numl)er  of  the  boys 
yesterday  that  there  would  be  another  "bluff"  along  in  a  short  time,  but  to 
take  no  notice  of  it. 

Here  is  ahother  point;  you  can  make  out  of  it  what  you  like.  There  are 
about  200  harvesters  now  in  Moosejaw  that  cannot  get  employment  and  they 
have  got  no  money  to  buy  food  with.  On  Tuesday  last  there  was  a  corner- 
stone laid  for  one  of  the  churches.  In  the  evening  they  got  all  the  harvesters 
together,  gave  them  a  good  siipper.  and  allowed  them  to  sleep  in  the  Town  Hall 
that  night.  The  superintendent  got  around  them  and  told  them  they  had  no 
need  to  go  idle  as  he  would  give  them  all  the  work  they  could  do,  but  was 
informed  by  the  men  that  they  did  not  come  here  to  "scab."  Yours  to  the  end 
of  the  war  and  after. 

The  following  is  the  circular  referred  to  in  the  foregoing  letter 

asa'^bluff": 

Office  of  the  Roadniaster, 
INIoosejaw,  August  28,  1901. 
To  all  old  Foremen  l)etween  Regina  and  Swift  Current: 

I  have  just  received  the  following  message  from  the  Superintendent: 

R.   H.   Lowe,   Moosejaw. 

Please  note  General  Superintendent  wires  as  follows:  "Montreal  advises  large  nura- 
lier  of  foremen  whose  positions  Imvc  li(>en  ptTiiianently  tilled  in  lOast  with  new  men, 
arc  now  applying  for  positions  in  tlie  West  and  wishes  to  know  how  many  married 
and    how    many    single    foremen    can    be    placed  ou  this  Division. 


118  THE  CALCIUM  LIGHT 

Mr.  Milestone,  Sup't  wires: 

I  wish  if  possible  to  retain  the  services  of  all  my  old  men  but  if  they  still  remain 
out  on  strike  send  in  statement  showing  number  of  married  and  single  foremen  required. 
Now  that  conciliation  committee  have  left  Montreal  all  hopes  of  a  settlement  is  over. 
If  men  return  they  should  understand  they  will  bo  treated  same  as  before  strike,  but 
they    must   decide   at   once.  C.    W.    MILESTONE." 

From  R.  H.  Lowe. 


1  liave  seen  a  telegram  addressed  to  roadniasters  and  agents  the  contents 
of  which  is  that  you  would  not  accept  the  proposed  agreement  the  chairmen  of. 
the  other  Orders  decided  upon.  The  telegrams  stated  that  their  services  were 
at  an  end  unless  you  would  leave  the  city  in  twenty-four  hours.  I  cannot 
understand  what  they  mean  by  this,  unless  they  are  attempting  to  bivali  up 
our  organization,  and  monopolize  the  benetits  of  organization  for  themselves. 
If  our  men  stand  hrm  we  can  gain  the  day  independent  of  the  chairmen  of  the 
other  Orders.  It  is  reported  that  the  company  offered  trackmen  $1.40,  and 
foremen  $1.90  per  day.  Avith  recognition.  The  trainmen  say  you  should  have 
accepted  it.  For  my  part,  recognition,  every  man  reinstated  in  his  former  posi- 
tion, and  a  substantial  increase  in  wages,  is  the  least  I  would  accept. 

Hoping  you  success,  and  that  you  may  long  be  at  the  head  of  our  Order, 
I  remain,  


I  have  just  heard  of  the  insult  offered  to  you  as  head  of  our  Organization. 
I  am  proud  that  our  committee  treated  the  request  of  our  so-called  "conciliation 
committee."  that  you  leave  town  Avithin  twenty-four  hours,  with  contempt. 
Our  boys  all  thinli  you  are  a  "brick"  to  stand  by  your  guns  so  nobly.  They 
say  they  will  stand  by  you  and  committee  till  the  last  "dog  is  hung,"  if  it 
takes  weeks  or  months.  We  must  win  at  any  cost.  We  thoroughly  appreciate 
your  courage  and  determination  to  carry  this  thing  through  for  our  benefit  and 
sympathize  with  you  on  account  of  the  persecution  to  which  you  have  been 
subjected  by  unscrupulous  men  and  by  the  "press."  Keep  up  your  courage;  our 
cause  is  just  and,  I  believe,  we  will  win  out.  Remember  you  have  the  sym- 
pathy of  all  fair-minded  men,  and  the  love  and  respect  of  those  you  are  so 
nobly  fighting  and  suffering  for.  My  roadmaster  came  to  me  the  other  day 
and  said  I  had  l)etter  go  back  to  Avork;  that  we  were  beaten,  and  that  he  con- 
sidered our  cause  unjust.  I  told  him  that  Ave  were  not  beaten,  and  if  ever 
there  was  a  just  cause  in  the  world,  ours  Avas  one.  I  also  reminded  him  of 
his  telling  me  some  years  ago,  that  trackmen  were  not  getting  enough  pay; 
that  they  sliould  get  at  the  very  least  a  dollar  and  a  half  a  day.  He  admitted 
saying  so.  I  then  asked  him  why  he  had  changed  his  mind.  He  did  not  answer, 
but  walked  away.     It  was  a  case  of  "I'm  all  right.     Beggar  you.  Jack." 

I  think  that  the  man  Avho  elects  another  to  represent  him  and  to  sell  his 
labor  for  him.  and  avIio  deserts  him  Avhen  he  is  in  a  position  where  he  cannot 
retreat  honorably,  is  the  basest  kind  of  a  coward. 

Press  on.  Brother  Wilson!  There  are  no  coAvards  around  here  and  I  be- 
lieve they  are  scarce  elsewhere  on  the  system.    We  will  sink  or  swim  together. 


The  basis  of  settlement  offered  by  the  general  manager  and  accepted  by 
the  conciliation  committee  shows  them  to  be  antagonistic  to  the  Order;  and  to 


Turned  On  by  a  Railway  Trackman.  119 

add  insult  to  injury  tlu'y  ordered  you  to  leave  Moutreal  in  24  hours.  Only 
organized  labor's  vilest  enemies  would  be  guilty  of  such  eouduet.  You  stay 
right  there,  and  we  will  stay  by  you  and  defend  you  with  Winchesters  if 
necessary.  By  all  that  is  good  or  bad  we  will  fight  it  to  a  finish,  and  I  believe 
we  can  win.  If  we  do  not  we  shall  not  have  anything  to  be  ashamed  of.  I 
am  sorry  you  are  being  pej'seeuted  in  such  a  manner,  but  there  is  one  con- 
solation, j^ou  are  a  man  of  more  brains  than  they  possess,  else  they  would  not 
want  you  out  of  the  way.  In  ordering  you  to  leave  town  they  offered  a  base 
insult  to  our  Organization,  and  discredited  themselves.  I  have  more  confidence 
in  you  to-day  than  I  ever  had  before.  I  admire  and  respect  you  for  not  allow- 
ing even  the  so-called  "conciliation  committee"  to  bamboozle  our  committee, 
and  cheat  us  out  of  our  just  rights.  It  is  a  God-send  we  have  a  man  at  the 
head  of  our  organization  wlio  is  able  to  cope  with  such  triclvsters.  Three  of 
our  committeemen  have  gone  baclv  on  us  and  are  making  statements  that 
would  not  be  made  by  any  one  who  had  any  respect  for  the  truth.  I  feel  that 
our  craft  has  been  disgraced  by  having  such  men  on  the  committee. 

In  reference  to  the  amount  of  money  Committeeman  Frederick  said  has 
been  spent,  I  will  only  say  that  very  liitle  of  it  was  paid  in  by  the  C.  P.  R. 
boys.  I  only  contributed  $2.50  and  I  know  many  others  who  did  not  pay  any 
more.  Tell  the  remaining  committeemen  to  stand  firm  and  not  disgrace  them- 
selves and  our  craft,  as  others  have  done. 


I  write  to  inform  you  of  the  bitter  feeling  prevalent  amongst  the  members 
of  the  five  Orders  regarding  the  actions  of  their  chairmen  in  turning  themselves 
into  a  "vigilance  committee."  It  is  sutticient  for  me  to  state  that  within  twenty- 
four  hours  of  their  knowing  the  news  to  be  authentic,  meetings  were  called  and 
resolutions  passed  of  such  a  nature  as  will  speedily  effect  a  settlement,  Mr. 
Peltier  being  appointed  to  replace  Shaw,  assisted  by  Mv.  Savage.  I  need  not 
state  that  Mr.  Peltier  is  not  only  the  most  able  committeeman  on  this  system, 
but  that  he  is  in  full  sympathy  and  determined  to  pull  his  own  men  out  of  the 
disgraceful  position  into  which  they  have  been  plunged  by  one  who  has  failed 
in  his  duty,  and  who  returns  with  one  of  those  long  faces  characteristic  of  the 
traitor,  and  to  make  his  own  doings  look  presentable  he  contemplates  a  repe- 
tition of  the  A.  R.  U.  A  committeeman  who  has  such  ideas  of  the  present 
situation  openly  admits  that  he  is  unciualified  to  hold  the  position  he  was 
appointed  to. 


I  am  busy  stacking  every  day.  We  are  having  a  great  harvest.  Every- 
thing is  just  the  same  on  this  division,  only  we  feel  prouder  of  our  president 
and  committee  for  refusing  the  offer  made  through  the  supposed  conciliation 
committee,  or  .rather,  the  C.  P.  R.  committee. 

If  the  other  Unions  have  entrusted  their  ALL  to  these  men  they  will  soon 
be  worse  off  than  the  section  men.  They  have  made  a  great  howl  about  our 
president  being  an  American,  but  we  don't  care  what  he  is  so  long  as  he  is 
a  MAN. 

There  is  one  thing  you  won't  forget  when  a  settlement  is  made.  We  must 
have  it  clearly  understood  that  every  man  gets  back  where  he  left  off  on 
June  lyth.  We  are  all  o.  k.  with  our  roadmaster  here,  but  such  is  not  the 
case  all  over,  and  you  may  be  sure  it  would  be  the  Ix-st  Union  men  tliat  they 


120  ,         THE  CALCIUM  LIGHT 

would  try  to  put  out,  with  the  excuse  that  there  was  a  "scab"  in  his  place. 
Stay  with  them  on  this  point,  and  you  can  be  sure  of  a  few  of  us  with  you  to 
the  end. 

Bro.  Lowe  was  in  Winnipeg.  I  did  uot  see  him  but  I  am  sure  he  strength- 
ened up  a  few  weak  places.  He  is  a  splendid  talker  and  knows  just  how  to 
work  and  what  to  say  among  the  boys. 


A  strike  of  more  than  ordinary  public  interest  in  Canada  Just  now  is  the 
struggle  of  the  Canadian  Pacific  Railway  trackmen  in  an  effort  to  get  better 
pay.  The  company  claims  that  its  trackmen  are  higher  paid  than  those  of 
any  other  railway  in  this  country,  or  the  United  States;  but  when  deductions 
are  made,  this  is  not  at  all  the  case,  and,  unfortunately,  this  is  not  the  only 
respect  in  which  the  C.  P.  R.  has  issued  statements  on  this  strike  question 
which  are  at  variance  with  the  facts.  For  a  gigantic  corporation,  such  as  this, 
to  use  its  telegraphic  service  to  misrepresent  and  vilify  its  trackmen  is  a 
spectacle  dishonoring  to  its  past  record.  The  only  theory  to  account  for  such 
arrogance  in  petty  things  is  that  suggested  by  the  Globe  that  some  high  ofH- 
cial  has  acquired  a  large  swelling  in  the  head.  It  is  high  time  the  Govern- 
ment interfered  to  reduce  this  swelling.  It  interfered  in  the  case  of  the  Grand 
Trunk  trackmen's  strike  three  years  ago,  and  there  is  much  more  occasion 
for  interference  now,  since  the  C.  P.  R.  was  a  creation  of  the  government, 
and  has  had  abounding  favors  from  the  people  in  time  past.  Neither  the 
Government  nor  the  C.  P.  R.  can  afford  to  trifle  with  the  lives  of  thousands 
that  are  being  endangered  by  this  midsummer  madness  of  a  mocking  official. 

There  is  naturally  a  good  deal  of  discussion  just  now  as  to  the  remedy  for 
labor  troubles.  The  only  true  remedy  for  strikes  and  lockouts  is  that  laid 
down  1900  years  ago  by  one  who  knew  all  the  springs  of  human  thought  and 
motive:  "As  ye  would  that  others  should  do  unto  j'ou,  do  ye  even  so  u'nto 
them."  When  a  set  of  men.  whether  employers  or  employes,  twist  this  prin- 
ciple right  around  and  begin  to  judge  what  others  should  do  to  them,  then 
their  troubles  commence.^ — The  Canadian  Engineer  for  August. 


Editor  Province: — In  your  issue  of  23rd  inst.  you  publish  an  editorial  under 
the  heading  "Foreign  Interference,"  in  which  you  attack  Mr.  AVilson,  the  presi- 
dent of  our  organization,  in  an  imreasonable  and  cowardly  manner. 

So  far  as  the  late  C.  P.  R.  trackmen  are  concerned,  and  laboring  men  in 
general,  your  effort  "cuts  no  ice,"  but  that  there  is  a  certain  section  of  the 
coiintry  where  people  might  be  misled  by  your  mode  of  reasoning  we  dare  not 
doulit,  hence  our  object  in  trespassing,  with  your  permission,  upon  your  columns 
in  order  to  refute  one  or  more  false  and  malicious  statements  in  your  article, 
and  which  in  the  interests  of  truth  and  justice  ought  not  to  be  allowed  to 
pass  unchallenged. 

That  the  Province  is  in  the  employ  of  the  C.  P.  R.  is  an  opinion  which 
olitains  very  extensively,  consequently,  we  cannot  look  in  that  direction  for 
any  matter  anent  the  strike  except  what  is  tainted  with  prejudice  or  directly 
emanates  from,  or  is  dictated  by,  the  C.  P.  R.  officials. 

A  cause  which  has  to  be  bolstered  up  by  falsehood  and  the  refined  art  of 
bluffing  cannot  stand  long  under  the  clear  light  of  truth,  and  the  supporters 
of  suc^li  a  cause  who  resort  to  such  nefarious  means  will  have  to  pass  away 
to  their  deserved  reward. 


Turned  On  by  a  Railway  Trackman.  121 

You  designate  Mr.  Wilson's  action  as  "foreign  interference."  You  are  at 
liberty  to  entertain  this  opinion,  but  we  wish  to  impress  upon  jou  the  fact 
that  Mr.  Wilson  is  in  the  position  in  which  the  C.  P.  K.  trackmen  have  placed 
him. 

Up  to  the  present  the  trackmen  have  been  discarded  and  trampled  upon, 
have  labored  under  the  crudest  hardships,  and  all  for  the  maguiaceut*  sum  of 
$1.25  per  day!  Such  cruel  circumstances  forced  them  to  look  for  a  general  who 
would  place  them  in  a  better  position  among  their  fellowmen.  They  sent  for 
Mr.   Wilson  and  events  have  proved  the  wisdom  of  their  clioice. 

The  cause  of  the  strike,  and  not  the  character  of  any  one  of  the  strikers 
or  their  leaders,  is  what  is  before  the  highest  tribunal  in  the  land — public 
opinion — and  up  to  the  present  there  has  been  no  unfavorable  pronouncement. 

As  the  cause  of  the  strike  is  unassailable  you  attack  a  man's  character  and 
attempt  to  make  it  a  public  concern;  a  sense  of  justice  should  be  the  founda- 
tion of  your  qualities,  Mr.  Editor. 

Foreign  interference!  Is  it  because  of  foreign  interference  you  have  the 
lil)erty  to  live  as  you  do  in  Canada  to  dayV  Is  it  because  of  foreign  interference 
you  have  the  liberty  to  pray  as  your  inclination  and  circumstances  prompt  you? 
Is  it  because  of  foreign  interference  your  forefathers.  ]\Ir.  Editor,  were  cap- 
tured in  a  state  of  barbarism  and  advanced  to  a  state  of  civilization?  Is  it 
because  of  foreign  interference  the  world  is  enjoying  its  present  liberty  and 
the  poor  slave  was  disenthralled  from  the  shackles  of  bondage,  able  to  straighten 
his  back  and  refuse  to  sul)mit  to  the  lash  of  the  oppressor? 

You  say:  "This  man  (meaning  :Mr.  Wilson)  went  back  home  to  St.  Louis 
bearing  with  him  the  suspicion  and  ill-will  of  every  Union  man  who  desired  to 
see  an  amicable  and  reasonable  arrangement  arrived  at." 

Now.  Mr.  Editor,  have  you  not  erred?  Do  you  not  mean  Charles  Pope? 
Since  the  inception  of  his  "interference"  in  this  strike  he  has  been  under  a 
very  strong  suspicion;  his  actions  have  disgusted  every  son  of  toil;  his  con- 
duct reprehensible  and  suspicious  caused  a  wave  of  indignation  to  pass  along 
the  entire  road.  He  had  to  give  away  to  more  determined,  more  honest  men. 
He  was  allowed  to  go  home  or  elsewhere  as  he  might  elect.  Mr.  Wilson  did 
not  leave  Montreal;  he  is  still  there  and  will  remain  there  until  the  trouble  is 
ended. 

Any  reasonable  and  unprejudiced  person  who  has  followed  and  read  the 
correspondence  which  has  taken  place  between  the  company  and  the  trackmen's 
committee  in  Montreal  will  readily  admit  that  Mr.  AVilson  and  his  committee 
have  been  most  conciliatory  and  reasonable  in  their  demands  and  justified  in 
rejecting  the  terms  offered  by  :Mr.  :McNicoll.  Here  is  an  extract  from  Mr. 
McXicolFs  terms  issued  on  August  13: 

The  company  will  meet  a  committee  and  grant  them  a  schedule,  provided,  however, 
that  such  schedule  shall  only  apply  to  forenen  and  first  and  second  men  of  one  year's 
standing  in  the  company's  service,  and  neither  the  schedule  nor  any  of  its  conditions 
shall  apply  to  others  employed  either  on  section  work  or  on  extra  gangs:  nor  shall  an.v 
committee  representing  th(>  organization  at  any  time  interfere  or  attempt  to  interfere 
with  the  relations  between  the  company  and  employes  in  its  maiutenance-of-way  de- 
partment. 

A  very  superficial  glance  at  the  foregoing  forces  one  to  the  inevitable  con- 
clusion that  Mr.  McNicoll  is  prepared  to  crack  the  nut.  throw  the  shell  to  the 
trackmen,  and  keep  the  kernel  for  himself. 

If  Mr.  Wilson  had  dared  to  accept  or  even  proposed  the  acceptance  of  sucii 
a  clause  we  would  have  every  reason  to  designate  his  conduct  in  the  strongest 


122  THE  CAI.CIUM  I,IGHT 

epithets  we  could  command.  But  Mr.  ^yilson  would  not  be  guilty  of  such  a 
sliocliiug  betrayal. 

You  also  say  that  Mr.  Wilsou  has  deliberately  "prolonged  the  strilce  in  the 
interests  of  American  roads  in  whose  pay  he  is  for  that  very  purpose."  On 
Avhat  ground  has  this  assertion  been  madeV  How  do  you  linow  that  he  is  in 
tlie  employ  of  American  roads  for  this  purpose?  Assertions  are  always  the 
arguments  of  the  unreasonable. 

Your  charge  is  simply  absurd  in  the  face  of  well  liuown  facts.  Are  you 
not  aware  of  the  existence  of  the  General  Managers'  Association,  of  which  Mr. 
McNicoll  is  a  member?  Many  of  the  employes  and  ex-employes  of  the  C.  P.  R. 
have  felt  bitterly  its  tyrannical  effects.  That  association,  Mr.  Editor,  is  a  "for- 
eigner," and  owing  to  its  meddlesome  "interference"  in  Canadian  affairs  thous- 
ands of  men  have  been  pushed  to  the  wall  and  debarred  from  securing  employ- 
ment. This  association  has  deliberately  "prolonged  the  strike"  in  order  to 
crush  poor  men  in  the  dufet. 

We  are  now  fighting.  Mr.  Editor,  for  something  more  precious  than  dollars 
and  dimes;  our  manhood  and  our  liberty  are  at  stake.  We  are  fighting  to  im- 
prove the  heritage  which  has  been  placed  in  our  hands,  and  we  are  determined 
as  free  men  in  a  free  country  to  continue  the  struggle  and  hand  over  to  our 
successors  what  thev  shall  have  no  reason  to  be  ashamed  to  accept. 


As  one  who  has  taken  a  keen  interest  in  the  struggle  which,  I  hope,  has 
now  come  to  a  satisfactory  conclusion,  I  feel  constrained  to  write  and  offer 
my  hearty  congratidations  for  the  manly  stand  you  have  made  against  many 
adverse  circumstances  and  an  unscrupulous  enemy.  Whatever  the  nature  of 
the  settlement  may  be,  I  consider  you  have  won  the  esteem  of  every  right 
thinking  man,  and  I  am  persuaded  that  after  the  storm  has  passed,  we  will  be 
able  to  look  at  the  case  in  a  proper  light,  then,  and  not  until  then,  can  we  do 
so.  I  am  fully  persuaded  that  the  maiutenance-of-way  men  when  they  reflect 
quietly  and  seriously  over  the  matter  will  involuntarily  come  to  the  conclu- 
sion that  through  your  guiding  hand,  they  have  preserved  their  manhood  and 
placed  themselves  on  a  higher  plane.  They  must  also  not  forget  that  you 
have  been  true  to  them  in  the  face  of  what  might  have  been  serious  temptations 
to  a  weaker  man. 

I  am  satisfied  that  you  have  gone  through  one  of  the  severest  ordeals  pos- 
sible— exasperating  to  a  degree,  requiring  coolness  and  determination  to  keep 
your  patience  and  walk  serenely  over  the  jibes  and  insults  that  were  hurled 
against  you.  You  not  only  had  the  crafty  and  cunning  general  manager  to  con- 
tend with,  but  a  badly  misled  clique  headed  by  an  unscrupulous  bully  whose 
conduct  from  first  to  last  was  of  a  very  suspicious  and  reprehensible  nature; 
from  an  honest  workingman  you  would  expect  something  different.  He,  how- 
ever, in  the  opinion  of  many,  was  not  only  willing  but  actually  worked  in  order 
to  sacrifice  not  only  the  lives  of  his  own  fellow-workmen,  but  the  natural 
rights  of  men  who  were  struggling  for  their  own  emancipation.  Pope  was  the 
principal  tool  in  the  hands  of  the  company  with  a  lie  as  its  handle. 

From  the  first  announcement  of  the  settlement  of  the  strike  on  the  morn- 
ing of  August  30  until  last  night  it  was  impossilde  to  procure  a  satisfactory 
and  definite  statement  of  the  situation.'  The  C.  P.  R.  deluged  the  country  and 
our  newspapers  with  telegr.Tms  announcing  th(>  s;ime.  but  not  until  Saturday 
]i.  m.  was  word  received  from  you,  and   then  the  telegram  was  so  brief  that 


Turned  On  by  a  Raii^way  Trackman.  123 

the  men  eonelnded  it  was  tietitioiis  aud  as  they  were  pestered  by  tlie  eompany 
they  swore  feaUy  to  you  aud  would  not  budge  from  their  position  until  delinite 
word  came  to  hand.  Indeed  I  may  say  that  I  never  had  the  pleasure  of  comini? 
in  contact  with  a  more  thorough,  more  determined,  more  honest  class  of  men 
than  those  on  this  division.  ^Vhen  the  strike  was  announced  I  began  to  lake 
an  interest  in  it  as  I  had  among  the  men  many  friends.  From  one  thing  to 
another  1  drifted  into  an  active  interest  in  their  case.  "NVhat  else  could  an  old 
employe  do?  I  knew  too  Avell  the  justness  of  their  cause.  I  knew  by  actual 
experience  what  it  is  to  endure  hardships,  insults  and  abuse,  and  as  one  who 
has  suffered  it  all  from  youth  to  manhood,  and  my  father  before  me,  what  else 
could  I  do  than  take  up  the  cudgel  in  behalf  of  my  fellowmeu  and  in  defense 
of  their  champion.  This  was  essential  at  this  end  of  the  road,  and  a  hard 
row  we  had  to  hoe,  to  the  blistering  of  our  hands  and  the  skinning  of  our 
knuckles.  You  have  every  reason  to  be  proud  of  your  subordinates  at  this  end 
of  the  road.    Accept  our  united  and  everlasting  gratitude. 


FACTS  RESPECTING  UNIONS. 

Vancouver,  B.  C,  October  12,  1901. 
To  the  Editor  of  Tlie  Independent: 

Sir:  I  think  the  time  has  come  when  those  who  know  the  facts  respecting 
trades  unions,  their  mode  of  procedure  aud  the  way  they  are  conducted  should 
speak  out.  So  much  has  been  said,  and  is  being  said,  and  so  much  is  being 
printed  and  spread  broadcast  throughout  the  length  and  breadth  of  the  land, 
which,  if  true,  no  true  man,  with  a  grain  of  libertj^-loviug  freedom  about  him, 
would  think  of  tying  himself  up  to.  During  the  C.  P.  R.  trackmen's  strike  we 
constantly  read  in  the  papers  about  the  irresponsible  head  of  that  organization, 
Mr.  Wilson,  plunging  so  many  men  and  families  into  poverty  to  suit  the  whim 
of  one  individual.  Then  it  was  charged  he  was  an  alien  and  had  no  standing 
in  this  country  whatever;  in  fact,  Mr.  Wilson  got  the  blame,  the  whole  of  the 
blame,  and  a  whole  lot  of  abuse  heaped  upon  him  for  what,  because  he  was 
a  man,  a  man  who  could  not  be  bouglit  to  sell  the  men  who  had  placed  their 
confidence  in  him,  and  who  had  placed  him  in  the  highest  position  in  their 
order — their  president.  Had  Mr.  Wilson  been  a  pliable  man  in  the  hands  of 
the  executive  of  the  C.  P.  R.,  had  he  been  scared  by  the  trackmen  you  would 
not  have  heard  such  trumped-up  charges  as  was  made  against  him;  but.  on 
the  contrary,  he  would  have  been  praised  as  a  sensible  man.  To  men  who  are 
ti'ade  unionists  and  especially  those  who  are  members  of  international  unions 
like  the  trackmen's,  typographical,  moulders,  locomotive  engineers,  trainmen, 
conductors,  telegraph  operators'  and  scores  of  other  unions  which  need  not  be 
mentioned,  such  slander,  such  rot,  as  was  said  about  Mr.  Wilson,  president  of 
the  trackmen's  union,  must  have  come  home  to  them  with  great  force,  especially 
as  it  struck  at  them  also,  as  every  international  unionist  has  for  the  head  of 
his  order — an  American.  I  cannot  recall  to  mind  one  president  of  an  interna- 
tional union  who  is  not  a  foreigner;  but  international  unions  recognfze  no 
boundary  line;  their  cards  are  good  all  over  the  continent,  and  if  a  Canadian 
showed  more  aptitude  to  serve  his  order  in  the  presidential  office  you  can  bet 
that  he  would  have  had  the  job.  It  is  the  best  men  for  the  positions  we,  as 
trade  unionists,  are  looking  for.  irrespectiv(>  of  nationality.  Another  thing  we 
heard,  and  are  hearing  today,  is  that  these  irresponsible  heads  can  call  strikes 


124  THE  CALCIUM  LIGHT 

and  compel  men  to  quit  their  worlv  and  cause  unbounded  misery  to  the  wives 
and  families  of  its  members.  Tlio  people  avIio  made  tliese  statements,  whether 
in  the  press,  on  the  platform,  or  in  a  court  house,  display  such  an  ignorance  of 
the  question  and  a  want  of  knowledge  of  the  subject  that  it  is  painful  to  read 
what  they  say,  or  listen  to  what  is  said.  It  is  the  biggest  mistalie  imaginable, 
cA-en  to  suppose  these  officers  have  such  powers.  No  executive  officer  of  any 
union  calls  a  strilie  without  the  consent  of  the  memljers  in  the  locality,  or  on 
the  system  where  trouble  has  arisen.  Why  for  two  months  before  the  track- 
men's strike  took  place,  the  men  on  the  C.  P.  R.  system  were  trying  to  get 
the  company  to  give  them  the  needed  relief,  and  after  the  men's  failure  to 
do  this  they  called  the  executive  of  their  order  to  take  the  matter  up,  and  in- 
tercede for  them,  without  avail.  The  orders  to  the  executive  from  the  men 
were  to  get  what  they  were  asking  for.  And  in  the  event  of  failing,  to  call 
a  strike  all  over  the  road.  How  then  can  j\Ir.  Wilson  and  his  officers  be  to 
blame?  They  were  simply  carrying  out  the  mandate  of  the  members,  and  did 
it  well.  In  all  cases  the  unions  affected  must  give  their  consent  before  such 
a  thing  as  a  strike  shall  occur.  I  Ivuow  personally  the  executives  of  many 
unions  who  have  been  the  means  of  stopping  numbers  of  strikes  through  their 
intelligent  handling  and  pointing  out  to  the  local  unions  lialile  to  be  affected 
the  fallacy  of  their  position.  The  executive  of  a  union  is  a  deterrent  to  strikes. 
It  is  the  brake  which  impedes  the  too  fast  running  of  the  members.  And  for 
people  to  say  that  they  are  irresponsible  is  to  talk  about  something  they  know 
absolutely  nothing  about.  The  executive  of  a  union  prevents  more  strilves  than 
employers  have  any  idea  of,  or  are  likely  to  have.  1  know  of  hundreds  of  men 
today  who  are  on  strike,  and  have  been  for  months,  who  are  receiving  no 
strike  pay.  simply  because  they  struck  without  consulting  the  executive  of  the 
union  to  which  they  l)elong.  Wliy  is  this?  Had  they  done  so,  the  men  knew 
that  they  could  not  get  the  consent  of  the  head  officers  to  sanction  it.  Why, 
if  all  is  true  one  hears  and  reads,  the  strike  on  the  C.  P.  K.,  on  the  managers' 
side,  was  run  by  the  (general  Managers'  Union,  of  which  Mr.  McNicoll,  general 
manager  of  tlie  C.  P.  R.,  is  a  member.  Mr.  Wilson  made  the  statement,  or  is 
credited  with  it,  that  it  was  the  General  Managers'  Union  Avhich  supplied  ^11 
the  alien  scabs  to  the  C.  P.  R.  Be  that  as  is  may,  the  president  is  an  American, 
and  so  are  its  officers,  yet  the  subsidized  press  said  nothing  about  that.  Of 
course  that's  different.  We  are  told  now  that  a  man  who  takes  strilve  pay  is 
a  pauper.  Indeed,  we  still  live  and  learn.  I  suppose  then  a  man  who  places  his 
money  in  the  savings  bank  and  falls  sick  and  draws  out  some  to  live  on  is 
a  pauper,  too.  Or  a  man  who  pays  into  a  sick  benefit  society,  like  the  Oddfel- 
lows and  Foresters,  and  at  times  of  sickness  draws  sick  pay  is  a  pauper.  We 
might  just  as  well  say  that  the  person  who  made  the.remark  that  men  drawing 
strike  pay  were  paupers,  was  one,  too,  because  he  draws  a  salary  from  the 
public  purse,  many  of  whom  he  calls  paupers  helping  to  subscribe  to  it.  If  a 
man  draws  strike  pay  he  is  only  receiving  what  he  has  already  paid  in  to  his 
society,  which  is  his  own.  Then  when  a  man  says  that  he  becomes  pauperized 
because  he  accepts  what  is  his  own,  he  is  only  talking  for  effect.  The  poor 
fellows  referred  to  received  no  strike  pay  from  the  tinion  or  anybody  else,  so 
that  it  was  quite  unnecessary  to  infer  that  they  did.  It  is  strange  that  some  men 
cannot  rise  above  a  certain  level  and  get  out  of  the  old  rut  they  have  been 
running  in  for  so  many  years.  They  appear  not  to  realize  that  we  are  living 
in  a  progressive  age.  which  is  ever  changing  for  the  better,  I  hope.  I  sliould 
be  sorry  to  believe  otherwise.    They  do  not  even  yet  realize  that  trade  unions 


Turned  On  hy  a  Raimvay  Trackman.  125 

are  liere  and  hero  to  stay.  Tlu'.v  do  not  care  whetlier  ihcy  Iiavc  been  tlu'  means 
of  bettering  the  conditions  of  Inindrcds  of  tliousauds  of  mm  or  not.  Tliey  do 
not  care  a  rap  if  trade  unions  liave  been  the  means  of  jietting  better  houses 
for  the  poor.  Tliey  do  not  know  that  trade  unions  have  been  tlie  means  ot 
getting-  better  sanitary  conditions  in  our  mines,  worl<  shops  and  factories.  Tliey 
do  not  trouble  their  heads  to  point  out  the  good  that  trade  unions  have  done, 
and  are  doing,  in  spite  of.  and  in  the  face  of  such  slanders,  a  thousand  and  one 
forces  Avliich  have  tried  to  prevent  the  accomplishment  of  these  reforms  which 
never  would  have  been  enjoyed  by  the  workers  were  it  not  for  trade  unions  agi- 
tation. Some  men  can  only  see  in  a  trade  union  a  clog  in  the  wheel  of  thfi 
capitalist,  which  prevents  him  from  grinding  the  masses  down  to  conditions 
worse  than  slavery,  and  debars  him  from  accumulating  wealth  out  of  their 
bones  and  sinews  as  fast  as  he  would  like  to.  The  man  who  cannot  see  more 
in  a  trade  union  th:in  that  is  physically  and  morally  blind  to  the  facts  of  the 
case.  Paupers,  forsooth!  It  is  the  trade  union  which  keeps  men  from  being 
paupers.  The  trade  union  is  the  reflection  in  organized,  crystalized  form  of  the 
best  thought,  activity  and  hopes  of  the  Avage  worker.  The  world's  greatest 
thinkers  are  now  beginning  to  appreciate  the  faci  that  The  demands  of  labor 
mean  more  than  appear  on  the  surface.  They  see  that  the  demand  for  work 
is  not  alone  one  for  the  preservation  of  life  in  the  individual,  but  is  a  humane, 
innate  right;  that  the  movement  to  reduce  the  hours  of  labor  is  not  sought  to 
shirk  the  duty  to  toil,  but  the  human  means  by  which  the  workless  workers 
may  find  the  road  to  employment;  and  that  the  millions  of  hours  of  increased 
leisure  to  the  overtasked  workmen  mean  millions  of  golden  opportunities  for 
lightening  the  burdens  of  the  masses,  to  make  the  home  more  cheerful,  the 
hearts  of  the  people  lighter,  their  hopes  and  aspirations  nobler  and  broader. 
These  are  only  some  of  the  things  trade  unions  are  doing  for  the  masses.  It 
is  a  pity  men  in  responsible  positions  should  make  use  of  language  which  is 
not  fair  to  the  weaker  vessels,  but  which  might  be  the  stronger,  if  only  he 
used  his  brains  a  little  more  and  hurl  from  office  men  who.  by  using  such 
unfair  language,  abuse  their  position.  J.  H.  WATSON. 

Vancouver.  Oct.  10,  1901. 

CHAPTER  XIII. 

LACKEYS    AND   HYPOCRITES  AND  WOLVES  IN  SHEEP'S 

CLOTHING. 

When  the  members  of  a  labor  orj^anization,  unable  to  adjust  their 
grievances  with  their  employers  throuoh  their  joint  protective  board, 
decide  to  order  a  suspension  of  work  and  call  n])on  the  i)resident  of 
their  orjianization  to  tak(^  charge  of  their  affairs  and  conduct  a  strike, 
they  should  keep  him  advised  of  everything'  of  interest  that  transpires 
along  the  line  and  carry  out  all  of  his  instructions. 

\Mien  the  strike  was  forced  upon  the  maintenance-of-way  men  by 
the  C.  P.  Ry.  officials,  the  head  of  the  trackmen's  organization  notified 
the  chief  executives  of  the  other  orgnnizations  composed  of  railway 
employes,  and  received  assurances  of  moral  support  from  all  of  them 


126  THE  CALCIUM  LIGHT 

except  tlie  cliief  officer  of  the  Order  of  Kailwjiy  Conductors.  He  was,- 
therefore,  in  a  position  to  know  just  wliat  assistance  maintenance-of- 
wav  men  would  receive  from  tlie  sister  organizations,  and  better  able 
to  judge  than  the  men  out  on  the  line  y\hether  or  not  the  inter- 
ference of  local  representatives  of  other  orders  would  be  beneficial 
or  detrimental  to  them.  He  also  knew  that  the  members  of  other 
orders  generally  were  in  sympathy  with  the  members  of  the  B.  E.  T. 
of  A.;  was  familiar  with  the  practical  workings  of  all  of  the  sister 
organizations,  and  knew  that  the  laws  of  their  organizations  and 
their  agreements  with  the  C.  P.  Ky.  company  would  prevent  them  from 
aiding  the  maintenance-of-way  men,  except  in  a  moral  and  financial 
way. 

A  few  days  after  the  trackmen's  strike  was  inaugurated  and  the 
agitation  for  the  general  chairmen  of  the  other  orders  to  act  as  a 
conciliation  committee  began,  it  was  discovered  that  Mr.  Charles  Pope, 
general  chairman  of  the  Brotherhood  of  Locomotive  Engineers  on  the 
Canadian  Pacific  system,  was  endeavoring  to  crystallize  sentiment 
in  opposition  to  the  best  interests  of  the  trackmen.  According  to 
advices,  he  wrote  a  letter  to  one  of  his  brother  engineers  in  which 
he  expressed  himself  as  being  opposed  to  the  engineers  on  the  C.  P. 
Ry.  aiding  the  maintenance-of-way  men  in  their  efforts  to  secure 
recognition  and  a  fair  settlement,  contending  that  locomotive  en- 
gineers had  been  imposed  upon  by  members  of  other  organizations 
composed  of  railway  employes;  that  they  had  fought  their  own  battles 
single-handed  and  alone;  that  they  had  fought  the  battles  of  all  the 
organizations  composed  of  railway  employes  in  the  train  service,  and 
were  then  being  called  upon  to  get  down  and  fight  the  trackmen's 
battles. 

A  great  many  members  of  the  B.  R.  T.  of  A.  were  led  to  believe 
that  the  members  of  other  orders  would  suspend  work,  if  necessary, 
to  aid  them  in  their  struggle,  provided  they  were  requested  to  do 
so  by  their  representatives.  It  was  reported  that  enthusiastic  mem- 
bers of  other  orders  (who  did  not  know  they  would  not  be  permitted 
to  engage  in  a  sympathetic  strike)  criticised  the  maintenance-of-way 
men's  representatives  for  not  appealing  to  them  for  aid.  Their  criti- 
cisms misled  many  members  of  the  B.  R.  T.  of  A.  and  caused  them 
to  flood  their  representatives  in  Montreal  with  letters,  insisting  that 
they  should  call  to  their  aid  the  representatives  of  other  organiza- 
tions. A  lack  of  practical  experience  and  a  proper  conception  of  the 
situation  by  members  of  the  B.  R.  T.  of  A.  made  it  necessary  for  their 
representatives  to  admit  into  their  camp  men  who  were  seeking  an 
opportunity  to  aid  the  comi)any  and  defeat  the  trackmen. 


Turned  On  hy  a  Railway  Trackman.  127 

Tlicic  is  coiisiclt'iable  trulh  in  llie  asseitioii  often  made  that  little 
sym})atliv  exists  between  workmen  who  leceiNc  four  dollars  a  day 
for  their  services  and  those  who  leceive  one  dollai'  a  day.  If  the 
poorly  paid  classes  of  railway  employes  de])end  upon  the  beiier  paid 
classes  to  fijiht  their  battles  for  them,  or  alh)w  their  local  representa- 
tives on  the  different  railways  to  come  in  and  dictate  the  terms  of 
settlement  when  they  are  contendinji,'  for  livinj^'  waj;es  and  fair  con- 
ditions of  employment,  they  will  get  the  worst  of  it  in  almost  every 
case. 

Although  the  strike  of  the  maintenance-of-way  men  on  the 
C.  I*.  Ky.  was  conducted  in  an  honorable  way,  and  the  strikers  were 
given  credit  by  the  citizens  of  Canada  generally  and  the  C  P.  Ry. 
oflticials  for  being  law-abiding  citizens,  Mr.  Charles  Pope,  local  repre- 
sentative of  the  locomotive  engineers,  while  in  private  conference 
with  the  general  chairmen  of  the  other  orders,  is  alleged  to  have 
advocated  the  use  of  bloodhounds  in  an  effort  to  break  the  strike, 
contending 'that  the  wrecks  occurring  along  the  road  were  the  result 
of  strikers  tampering  with  the  track,  and  that  if  bloodhounds  were 
put  upon  the  ground  soon  after  the  wrecks  occurred  the  train  wreckers 
(strikers)  could  be  traced  and  captured. 

^A'hen  Messrs.  Wark,  chairman  of  the  locomotive  firemen,  and 
Allison,  chairman  of  the  railroad  telegraphers,  arrived  in  Montreal 
they  discussed  with  the  trackmen's  representatives  the  actions  taken 
by  the  chairmen  of  the  engineers,  conductors  and  trainmen  at  AVin- 
nipeg.  They  expressed  a  belief  that  the  representatives  of  the  other 
ordeis  would  not  have  proposed  to  recommend  that  the  maintenance- 
of-way  men  settle  upon  terms  previously  offered  by  the  general  man- 
ager (provided  he  would  agree  to  allow  them  to  return  to  work)  if 
they  had  not  been  corrupted. 

Aft(n-  the  arrival  of  the  general  chairmen  of  the  other  orders  in 
IMontreal,  accoiding  to  statements  made  by  Messrs.  ^^'ark  and  Alli- 
son, an  attemi)t  was  made  by  Mr.  Pope  of  the  engineers  to  secure 
their  indorsement  of  the  actions  taken  by  the  general  chairmen  of 
the  engineeis,  conductors  and  trainmen  whih^  in  conference  with  the 
geneial  manager  at  Winnipeg.  At  the  same  time  they  made  the 
statement  they  declared  their  intentions  were  to  insist  ui)on  the  com- 
l)any  jnaking  a  fair  settlement  with  its  trackmen  and  that  they  would 
not  become  a  party  to  such  dirty  work  as  the  chairmen  of  the  engi- 
neers, conductors  and  Irainmen  had  proposed  to  do  at  ^^'innipeg. 
P.efore  they  left  Montreal,  however,  they  became  perfectly  subserv- 
ient and  by  their  actions  displayed  a  willingness  to  aid  the  chairmen 
of  the  other  orders  and  the  officials  of  the  company  in  their  efforts 


128  THE  CALCIUM  LIGHT 

to  break  up  the  uiaiuteiiaufe-of-way  men's  organ izatiou  on  the  C.  P. 
Ky.  by  attempting  to  intluenee  and  coerce  the  representatives  of  the 
latter  organization  into  calling  otf  the  strike  and  entering  into  an 
agreement  with  the  officials  which  would  authorize  them  to  reinstate 
onlv  such  men  as  thev  desired  to  re-emplov.  Thus  it  will  be  seen 
that  the  firemen  and  telegraphers  on  the  (\  P.  Ry.  had  very  weak 
men  for  general  chairmen,  and  the  prestige  of  their  organizations, 
without  the  consent  of  their  members,  was  used  in  the  interests  of 
the  company  and  to  the  detriment  of  the  men  engaged  in  the  strike. 

When  the  president  of  the  B.  R.  T.  of  A.  discovered  that  the  com- 
pany was  about  to  succeed  in  capturing  the  general  chairmen  of  the 
other  orders,  which  would  enable  it  to  use  the  prestige  of  the  older 
organizations  composed  of  railway  employes  against  the  trackmen 
who  were  making  such  an  heroic  fight,  he  said  to  Mr.  Wark  (the  fire- 
men's general  chairnmn):  "You  gentlemen  who  are  here  representing 
the  members  of  other  orders  can  maintain  your  honor  and  uphold  the 
principles  or  organized  labor,  without  offending  the  C.  P.  Ky.  officials 
or  injuring  the  cause  of  the  trackmen,  by  recommending  that  all  dif- 
ferences between  the  company  and  its  trackmen  be  settled  by  arbitra- 
tion." His  reply  was:  "We  are  not  in  a  position  to  advise  the  com- 
pany to  settle  by  arbitration."  The  logical  conclusion  is  that  the 
chairmen  of  the  other  orders  had  such  an  exalted  opinion  of  them- 
selves and  were  vain  enough  to  imagine  they  could  dictate  terms  of 
settlement  for  the  maintenance-of-way  men,  and  they  may  have  en- 
tered into  an  agreement  with  the  officials  to  settle  the  strike  according 
to  their  wishes.  This  suspicion  is  based  upon  the  actions  of  the  chair- 
men of  the  other  orders  and  a  published  interview  with  the  general 
manager  in  which  he  stated  that  the  general  chairmen  had  located 
where  the  difficulty  rested  (meaning  the  president  of  the  B.  R.  T.  of 
A.)  and  were  endeavoring  to  remove  it  outside  of  the  city. 

Perhaps  the  most  positive  proof  that  can  be  rendered  to  show 
that  the  general  chairmen  of  the  other  orders  were  made  tools  of  and 
influenced  to  act  in  such  a  way  as  to  degrade  themselves  and  reflect 
discredit  upon  the  men  they  were  supposed  to  represent,  is  the  fact 
that  they  became  so  idiotic  as  to  imagine  that  the  j>resident  and  re- 
sponsible official  of  the  Trackmen's  Brotherhood  would  sacrifice  his 
own  principles  and  the  interests  of  the  men  he  represented  by  leaving 
his  post  of  duty  upon  their  demand  for  him  to  leave  Montreal  in 
twenty-four  hours. 

This  experience  should  serve  as  a  warning  to  trackmen  on  all 
other  roads  and  cause  them  to  realize  that  this  is  a  cold-blooded  busi- 
ness world,  composed  of  classes,  and  that  the  only  classes  among  the 


Turned  On  by  a  Railway  Trackman.  129 

toilei!-;  and  wealth  pi-odiuers  ^vho  receive  anytbinj;  like  a  fair  share 
of  the  \vealth  cieated  and  distributed  by  their  labor  are  the  classes 
who  band  themselves  together  and  use  their  brains,  energy  and  influ- 
ence in  defense  of  their  rights. 

The  responsibility  attached  to  the  position  of  a  comniitteenian, 
when  several  hundred  thousand  dollars  in  wages  is  in  dispute  be- 
tween a  corporation  and  its  employes,  is  very  great.  IVrmitting  out- 
side parties  to  interfere  in  such  matters  should  not  be  tolerated  under 
any  circumstances  unless  they  are  known  to  be  honest  and  fair-minded 
men.  I'nscrupulous,  designing  men  often  scheme  and  connive  to 
place  themselves  in  such  positions  in  order  to  have  an  opportunity 
to  accept  bribes  or  to  promote  their  own  interests.  Allowing  R.  C. 
Montgomery  to  serve  on  the  maintenance-of-way  men's  committee 
was  the  greatest  mistake  made  by  them  during  the  entire  proceedings, 
as  it  gave  him  an  opportunity  to  betray  his  fellow-workmen  and  to 
accept  a  bribe  in  the  form  of  "promotion." 

On  account  of  the  men  on  the  C.  P.  Ry.  not  being  formed  into 
local  divisions  it  was  necessary  to  form  their  joint  protective  board 
by  recommendations  and  appointments.  Not  one  of  the  men  on  the 
division  Montgomery  was  working  on  recommended  him  as  being  a 
suitable  person  to  serve  on  the  committee.  He  was  a  self-constituted 
committeeman,  and  a  suspended  member  of  the  B.  R.  T.  of  A.  when 
he  appeared  in  Montreal  in  April,  on  account  of  not  paying  his  dues 
for  the  first  quarter  of  the  year  in  advance,  in  accordance  with  the 
laws  of  the  organization.  These  facts  were  pointed  out  to  the  chair- 
man of  the  committee,  but  in  some  way  Montgomery  made  him  be- 
lieve that  if  allowed  to  serve  on  the  committee  he  would  render  valu- 
able assistance.  By  bringing  him  back  to  Montreal  in  May  and  allow- 
ing him  to  take  part  in  the  deliberations,  he  was  given  an  opportunity 
to  create  a  great  deal  of  trouble,  and  not  only  added  considerably  to 
the  expense  of  the  organization,  but,  by  violating  his  obligation, 
secured  temporary  promotion  for  himself. 

When  a  class  of  workmen  form  an  industrial  organization,  place 
it  upon  a  protective  basis  and  attempt  to  operate  it  in  the  interest 
of  its  members,  they  will  meet  with  opposition  from  various  sources. 
Christ  had  His  Judas;  all  societies  have  their  impostors.  The  mem- 
bers of  a  labor  organization  who  have  banded  themselves  together 
for  mutual  protection  should  be  vigilant  and  at  all  times  keej)  a  sharp 
lookout  for  labor  sneaks  who  are  seeking  an  opportunity  to  promote 
their  own  interests  at  the  expense  of  their  fellow-workmen. 

Notwithstanding  the  older  organizations  composed  of  railway 
emi)loyes  have  done  a  «^reat  deal  for  the  classes  they  were  established 


130  THE  CALCIUM  LIGHT 

bv,  and  liave  made  the  lives  of  their  members  more  tolerabk^,  thev 
have  to  deal  with  and  are  often  deceived  by  men  who  will  "sell  their 
birth-rij^ht  for  a  mess  of  pottage."  To  prove  the  truthfulness  of  this 
assertion  the  following  letter,  which  appeared  in  the  August  llOOl) 
issue  of  the  Locomotive  Firemen's  Magazine  is  reproduced: 
To  the  Divisions  and  Lodges  of  tlie  B.  L.  E.,  B.  L.  F.,  O.  K.  C,  B.  K.  T.  aud 
O.   R.  T.: 

Brothers: — We  thiiilv  it  proper  to  liaud  you  an  autheutic  statement  relative 
to  tlie  somewliat  reeent  events  connected  with  tlie  efforts  to  secure  new  and 
more  advantageous  schedules  of  pay  on  the  Central  Railroad  of  New  Jersey, 
about  which  there  was  much  newspaper  talk,  and  out  of  which  some  misuuder- 
standiugs  have  grown.  This  statement  is  a  simple  and  concise  presentation 
of  facts  made  from  our  personal  observations,  the  reports  of  the  several  general 
chairmen,  and  from  the  records  of  a  meeting  of  iu(iuiry. 

In  April,  1900,  the  several  general  committees  named  for  the  C.  R.  R.  of 
N.  J.  signed  a  co-operative  agreement  in  which  it  was  agreed  that  the  commit- 
tees could  co-operate  in  an  elfort  to  secure  new  schedules,  and  that  none  of 
them  would  accept  final  settlement  unless  all  were  able  to  satisfactorily  settle. 
The  engineers  and  tiremen  presented  a  joint  schedule.  Separate  propositions 
were  presented  by  tha  conductors,  the  trainmen  and  the  telegraphers.  Several 
conferences  were  had  at  different  and  separate  times  between  the  committees 
and  the  officials.  The  conductors  were  able  to  reach  an  agreement  satisfactory 
to  them,  the  final  acceptance  of  which  Avas  stated  to  depend  upon  the  other 
organizations  being  able  to  settle.  None  of  the  other  committees  were  able 
to  secure  concessions  which  they  were  willing  to  accept;  and  finally,  in  March 
last,  the  grand  officers  of  the  organizations  Avere  called,  the  call  being  answered 
in  person  by  the  undersigned,  who  met  with  tlie  several  full  general  committees 
at  New  York  on  April  2. 

After  a  review  of  the  situation  it  was  deemed  best  for  the  five  general 
chairmen  to  seek  an  interview  with  the  president  of  the  road.  President  Max- 
well informed  them  that  he  was  about  to  sever  his  connection  with  the  road 
and  referred  them  to  Vice-President  Warren.  The  chairmen  went  to  Mr. 
Warren,  and  he  told  them  that  the  answer  which  had  been  made  by  the  other 
officers  of  the  company  was  the  answer  of  the  company.  He  refused  to  inter- 
fere in  any  way  or  to  entertain  or  make  any  different  proposition. 

The  committees  were  unwilling  to  accept  settlement  on  the  terms  open  to 
them,  and  officially  turned  the  matter  over  to  the  grand  officers.  We  addressed 
a  note  to  Vice-President  Warren,  asking  for  a  conference  for  ourselves  and  a 
committee  of  employes.  He  ansAvered  very  evasively,  and  we  again  wrote  him 
requesting  an  interview.  Again  he  answered,  ignoring  our  re(iuest  for  confer- 
ence, and  also  ignoring  the  fact  that  the  trainmen  aud  telegraphers  Avere  as 
much  interested  as  the  engineers  and  firemen. 

It  Avas  plain  that  he  did  not  desire  or  intend  to  meet  us;  but  in  order  to  be 
sure,  Ave,  on  April  6.  wrote  him  again  requesting  conference  and  specially  ask- 
ing reply  to  that  request.  This  communication,  as  Avell  as  the  others,  Avas 
delivered  at  his  office  by  members  of  the  committee,  but  it  was  ignored  com- 
pletely. We  Avere  thus  unable  to  do  anything  more  to  help  the  brothers  unless 
the  membership  on  the  road  Avere  Avilling  to  vigorously  defend  their  right  to 
be  represented  through  their  organizations. 


Turned  On  by  a  Railway  Trackman.  lol 

The  e-ommitteemeu  weiv  strong  iii  their  expressions  of  belief  that  tlie  mem- 
berslui)  interested  were  wlioUy  uuAvilliny  to  let  the  matter  drop.  They  expressed 
themselves  as  sure  the  members  would  desire  to  tight  for  tlu'ir  rights,  and  one 
chairman  expressed  himself  as  "surprised"  at  the  conservatism  shown  by  us 
in  our  efforts  to  get  a  conference  with  Mr.  Warren. 

In  accord  with  our  belief  that  refusal  of  a  railway  manager  to  meet  the 
chosen  representatives  of  the  employes  when  called  on  l»y  those  employes,  fully 
justifies  open  resistance,  and  agreeable  to  the  expressed  wishes  of  the  com- 
mittees, it  was  agreed  to  submit  the  question  to  the  membership  for  a  strike 
vote.  A  statement  for  each  submission  was  prepared  and  signed  by  ourselves 
and  the  five  general  chairmen.  This  was  Saturday  evening,  April  6.  The  state- 
ment was  dated  April  8.  with  the  understanding"  that  it  would  be  printed 
Monday  and  that  copies  would  be  sent  to  the  chairmen  with  which  to  supply 
the  members  as  soon  as  possible.  The  committeemen  went  home  Saturday 
night.  The  ballots  were  printed  Monday,  were  shipped  to  the  chairmen  Tues- 
day morning  and  were  delivered  Wednesday. 

On  Sunday  open  opposition  to  the  action  of  the  committees  and  officers 
began  among  some  of  the  engineers  at  .Jersey  City.  This  was  agitated  freely 
and  plans  for  an  independent  and  illegal  committee  of  engineers  to  assume 
authority  to  make  settlement  with  the  company  were  laid.  It  became  apparent 
thiit  the  sentiment  among  some  of  the  employes  was  very  different  from  what 
it  had  been  stated  or  understood  to  be. 

Chairman  .7.  V.  Wait  of  the  engineers'  committee,  and  Chairman  T.  Shea 
of*  the  firemen's  committee,  instead  of  carrying  out  the  understanding  to  vote 
the  men,  went  on  their  own  authority  and.  without  consulting  the  other  chair- 
men or  the  grand  officers  of  their  brotherhoods,  appealed  to  the  general  super- 
intendent to  arrange  a  conference  for  the  committees  with  officers  of  the 
company  for  the  purpose  of  making  a  settlement.  A  conference  ^^■as  arranged 
and  a  settlement  was  made  and  arrangements  for  a  meeting  between  the  offi- 
cials and  trainmen's  and  telegraphers'  committee  were  made. 

At  the  conference  arranged  by  Chairmen  Wait  and  Shea  the  following 
engineers,  meml)ers  of  the  B.  L.  E.,  but  not  members  of  their  committee,  were 
present  l)y  invitation  of  the  officials  of  the  road:  M.  M.  Clapp,  .John  Erickson, 
P.  T.  Doyle.  Eugene  Mahoney,  William  Gorman  and  P'rank  Wynkoop.  It  is 
stated  that  these  are  the  ones  who  were  to  take  things  out  of  the  hands  of  the 
regular  committees  and  make  a  settlement.  It  is  also  stated  that  they  had  an 
engagement  for  a  conference  with  the  officials  of  the  company  on  the  morning 
of  April  11.  which  was  postponed  on  account  of  the  conference  arranged  l)y 
Chairmen  Wait  and  Shea  for  that  afternoon,  at  wliicli  the  independent  and 
practically  self-appointed  committee  were  present. 

After  this  action  on  the  part  of  the  engineers'  and  tiremon's  committee, 
there  was  nothing  left  for  the  trainmtm  and  telegraphers  to  do  except  to  save 
or  get  what  they  could  out  of  the  situation,  which  their  committees  did  after 
communicating  with  their  grand  officers  and  getting  their  sanction. 

On  account  of  them  having  decided  upon  their  own  authority  to  choose  the 
course  which  they  followed,  tlic  chairmen  of  the  engineers'  and  firemen's  com- 
mittees did  not  distribute  the  ballots  to  their  constituents.  Cliairman  Titus  of 
the  conductors,  learning  what  was  going  on,  promptly  reported  and  asked  for 
advice.  He  was  advised  to  hold  the  ballots  under  these  circumstances.  The 
chairuK-n  of  llir  Iniiimien's  ar.d  ti'legrapli.'rs'  committees  partially  or  wliolly 
distributed  ilicir  h.illots. 


132  THE  CALCIUM  I.IGHT 

If  the  couimitteemeu  had  expressed  to  us  the  sentiment  among  the  men 
as  being  in  favor  of  a  settlement  ou  the  best  terms  possible  to  get  rather  tlian 
to  risk  any  trouble,  or  if  they  had  expressed  a  desire  to  make  an  effort  to 
settle  in  the  way  they  later  chose,  we  would  certainly  have  encouraged  them  in 
so  doing  before  seeking  official  conference  with  the  vice-president.  The  incon- 
sistency and  impropriety  of  the  action  of  the  chairmen  who  sought  and  arranged 
the  conference  with  the  general  superintendent  under  the  circumstances  which 
existed,  and  which  they  had  assisted  more  than  any  others  in  building  up, 
is  so  apparent  from  a  simple  statement  of  facts  as  to  need  no  elaboration. 
The  treachery  of  those  members  who  interfered  and  who  were  so  ready  and 
handy  as  tools  in  the  hands  of  the  officials  against  their  fellow-employes  and 
their  brothers,  will  be  appreciated  in  its  full  meaning  by  all  true  and  loyal 
brothers.     Yours  fraternally, 

P.  M.  ARTHUR,  G.  C.  E.,  B.  L.  E., 
F.  P.  SAR(iENT,  G.  M.,  B.  L.  F., 
E.  E.  CLARK.  G.  C.  C,  O.  R.  C 
P.  H.  MORRISSEY,  G.  M.,  B.  R.  T., 
M.  M.  DOLPHIN,  Pres.,  O.  R.  T. 

During  the  strike  on  tbe  Maine  Central  Railway  in  June,  1901,  by 
the  maintenance-of-way  men  on  that  road,  their  president  was  invited 
to  attend  a  union  meeting  of  railway  employes  at  Waterville,  Maine. 
Several  hundred  Maine  Central  Railway  employes  were  in  attendance. 
The  maintenance-of-way  men's  representatives  reported  that  members 
of  the  Brotherhood  of  Locomotive  Engineers  were  scabbing  on  mem- 
bers of  the  B.  R.  T.  of  A.  The  names  of  the  engineers  who  were 
charged  with  scabbing  were  given.  The  meeting  was  well  attended 
by  locomotive  engineers,  and  none  of  them  denied  the  charge  that 
two  of  the  members  of  their  organization  had  been  guilty  of  doing 
the  work  previously  performed  by  the  maintenance-of-way  men  on 
strike.  The  following  message  was  sent  to  the  chief  executive  of 
the  B.  L.  E.: 

Waterville,  Me.,  .June  15,  1901. 
P.  M.  Arthur,  G.  C,  B.  L.  E..  Cleveland,  O.: 

Engineers  Chester  Spear  and  Frank  Robinson,  Jr.,  are  working  in  places  of 
striking  coal  men,  members  of  B.  R.  T.  of  A.,  on  Maine  Central  Railway. 

After  listening  to  the  address  delivered  by  the  president  of  the 
B.  R.  T.  of  A.,  a  motion  was  unanimously  adopted  requesting  all  who 
were  not  members  of  either  of  the  organizations  composed  of  railway 
employes  to  retire,  and  the  members  of  the  several  organizations 
to  hold  an  executive  session.  The  members  of  the  different  organi- 
zations then  selected  one  of  their  members  to  take  up  the  current 
passwords  and  ascertain  if  all  present  were  entitled  to  remain. 

There  appeared  to  be  considerable  sentiment  in  favor  of  ordering' 
a  suspension  of  woi-k  by  all  classes  of  men  on  the  Maine  Central  Rail- 
way.    The  president  of  the  P>.  R.  T.  of  A.  stated  tlial  the  meeting  was 


Turned  On  by  a  Railway  Trackman.  1.^3 

uot  called  to  consider  the  i)i()])iiety  of  takiiij;'  such  sicps,  and  advised 
the  inembei'S  of  the  other  orders  that  if  they  contenij)lated  taking 
such  action  it  would  be  proper  for  them  to  hold  separate  meetings 
and  to  do  business  in  accordance  with  the  laws  established  by  the 
several  organizations  for  the  government  of  their  members.  His  sug- 
gestion was  favorably  considered  and  dates  upon  which  the  meetings 
were  to  be  held  were  agreed  upon. 

In  a  few  days  the  writer  received  a  message  at  Montreal  from  the 
vice-president  of  the  15.  R.  T.  of  A.,  requesting  him  to  go  to  Portland, 
Elaine,  and  meet  committees  from  the  other  orders,  who  were  being 
sent  to  Portland  to  aid  in  settling  the  trackmen's  strike.  He  left 
Montreal  on  the  evening  of  June  24,  arriving  in  Portland  the  next 
morning,  expecting  to  meet  representatives  from  all  of  the  other 
orders.  Upon  his  arrival  he  picked  up  a  morning  paper  and  was 
surprised  to  read  the  following: 

BROTHERHOOD  OF  LOCOMOTIVE  ENGINEERS  AND  ORDER  OF  RAIL- 
WAY CONDUCTORS  NOT  IN  SYMPATHY  WITH  THE  TRACKMEN 
ON  STRIKE  ON  THE  MAINE  CENTRAL  RAILWAY. 

To  the  Members  of  the  Trackmen's  Union: 

We,  the  luidersisjned.  members  of  the  Brotherhood  of  Locomotive  Engineers 
and  Order  of  Railway  Conductors,  read  an  article  in  the  morning  papers 
throughout  the  state  to  the  effect  that  the  Order  of  Railway  Conductors, 
had  appointed  a  committee  to  confer  with  the  committee  of  trackmen, 
and  that  tlie  B.  L.  E.  was  going  to  appoint  a  committee  Sunday. 
As  meml)ers  of  the  above  orders  we  will  say  that  we  know  notliing  of  any 
such  committee  being  appointed;  it  would  be  well  for  Mr.  R.  P.  Neil  and  other 
leaders  of  the  Trackmen's  Association  to  confer  with  the  divisional  committee 
of  the  O.  R.  C.  division,  and  the  B.  L.  E.,  and  find  out  if  a  committee  had  been 
appointed  before  malting  such  a  statement. 

The  article  also  states  that  the  men  are  all  out  and  standing  firm.  I  beg  to 
differ;  as  we  pass  over  the  road  between  Bangor  and  Portland,  we  find  nearly, 
if  not  all,  the  sections  covered  by  a  full  set  of  men,  many  tliat  did  not  go  out, 
and  many  of  the  old  and  better  class  returning,  and  l)y  asking  any  member  of 
the  O.  R.  C.  and  B.  L.  E..  you  will  get  a  truthful  answer  to  any  question  you 
may  ask  them  in  regard  to  sections  being  covered.  And  they  will  gladly  tell 
you  who  covers  each  and  every  section  on  their  division.  My  friends,  don't 
be  afraid  to  ask  questions  of  men  you  have  known  for  years,  who  have  no 
axes  to  grind.  I>et  us  say  before  closing,  that  the  B.  L.  E.  and  O.  R.  C.  do 
all  their  business   on    the   square.     Believe   what    they    tell   you    and   don't   be 

duped  by  strangers. 

FRANK  WHITNEY,   Engineer. 
T.  E.  SANBORN,  Con.  M.  C.  Ry. 

According  to  reports,  the  members  of  the  B.  L.  E.  and  O.  R.  C. 
^ere  very  much  displeased  with  the  action  taken  by  Engineer  Whit- 
nev  and  Conductor  Sanborn.     The  above  article  appearing    in    the 


134  THE  CALCIUM  LIGHT 

press,  aboA'e  tliL'ii-  sij^iiatuies.  al  Ihis  iiaiticnlar  time,  indicated  that 
the  Maine  Central  Kailway  officials  weic  lioldiiiji  them  as  tools  to  be 
used  at  their  convenience. 

Committees  representing  the  members  of  the  Brotherhood  of 
Locomotive  Firemen,  the  Brotherhood  of  Railway  Trainmen  and  the 
Order  of  Railroad  Telegraphers  joined  the  maiutenance-of-way  men's 
committee  and  assisted  it  in  securing  a  settlement  which  caused  the 
strike  to  be  declared  otf. 

Although  locomotive  engineers  receive  more  pay  in  proportion  to 
the  services  rendered  on  almost  all  roads  than  any  other  class  of  em- 
ployes, I  have  been  informed  that  the  Canadian  Pacific  and  Maine 
Central  Railway  companies  increased  the  wages  of  their  locomotive 
engineers  a  short  time  after  making  settlement  with  their  mainte- 
nance-of-way  men.  Thus  it  will  be  seen  that  there  does  exist  an 
aristocracy  of  labor,  and  in  some  instances  it  is  upheld  by  the  repre- 
sentatives of  well  paid  classes  and  the  agents  of  corporations. 

Men  trying  to  imi)rove  their  condition  by  united  efforts  should 
beware  of  lackeys,  hypocrites  and  "wolves  in  sheep's  clothing." 

CHAPTER  XIV. 

DETECTIVES. 

I  was  recently  handed  a  verbatim  copy  of  a  report  of  the  pro- 
ceedings of  the  1901  convention  of  the  O.  R.  T.,  which  had  been 
tediously  prepared  and  submitted  to  a  railway  official  by  one  of  the 
company's  detectives.  While  the  information  contained  in  the  report 
was  doubtless  obtained  at  a  cost  of  several  hundred  dollars  to  the 
company  in  whose  service  the  "detective"  was  employed,  a  report  ten 
times  more  complete  could  have  been  obtaind  for  a  nickel  by  pur- 
chasing a  copy  of  either  of  the  St.  Louis  dailies  each  day  during  the 
session.  In  fact,  there  was  not  a  solitary  item  in  the  report  that 
had  not  appeared  in  the  public  prints. 

I  have  been  for  twelve  years  connected  with  a  labor  organization 
and  during  that  time  no  action  has  been  takeu  by  it  in  secret  session 
that  auA  railway  official  might  not  know,  or  the  knowledge  of  which 
w^ould  be  worth  a  two-cent  stamj)  to  any  railway  company. 

The  sessions  of  labor  organizations  are  only  held  behind  closed 
doors  to  prevent  interruption  and  annoyance  by  persons  who  are  in 
no  way  concerned  in  the  proceedings  except,  perhaps,  that  they  are 
morbidly  curious  to  know  WHY  the  sessions  are  held. 

If  there  is  one  thing  more  than  another  which  causes  employers 
and  employes  to  be  at  variance,  it  is  the  actions  of  a  set  of  employes 
known  as  ''detectives."     "They  toil  not,  neither  do  they  spin."  yet 


Turned  On  bv  a  Railway  Trackman.  135 

tliey  enjoy  more  of  the  luxuries  of  life  than  do  the  men  who  create 
the  world's  wealth.  Almost  every  corporation  employinji,  a  few  hun- 
dred or  a  few  thousand  workmen  carry  on  their  payrolls  a  staff  of 
detectives. 

"Probably  the  most  perfect  spotter  system  achieved  by  any  pri- 
vate corporation,"  says  Ainslie's  Magazine,  "is  that  of  one  of  the  bi^' 
eastern  railroads,  which  is  to  some  extent  modeled  on  the  secret  ser- 
vice system  of  some  of  the  Eui'opean  governments,  though  by  no 
means  so  complex.  So  far-reaching  and  so  direct,  however,  are  its 
lines  of  communication  that  the  president  of  the  organization  is  him- 
self kept  constantly  informed  of  the  trend  of  affairs  and  the  changes 
of  sentiment  among  the  employes  of  every  division  and  subdivision 
of  the  whole  railway  system,  and  that  without  the  knowledge  of  any 
other  persons  but  his  own  special  corps  of  clerks  and  secretaries. 
Nobody  but  himself  knows  the  entire  personnel  of  the  wonderful  ser- 
vice that  he  has  perfected.  His  agents  are  drawn  from  every  branch 
of  the  road's  operating  staff.  They  are  engineers,  freight  brakemen, 
passenger  trainmen,  conductors,  signalmen,  yardmen,  station  agents, 
track  walkers  and  even  division  otticials.  Should  that  road  have  a 
strike — and  strikes  are  far  less  likely  to  occur  than  they  were  before 
the  present  system  was  put  into  operation — the  president  will  have 
detailed  warnings  of  it  from  all  the  storm  centers  long  before  the  first 
mutterings  find  cautious  utterance  in  the  newspapers,  ^^'hile  it  also 
acts  as  a  defense  against  thefts  by  employes,  this  system  is  intended 
primarily  to  prepare,  so  to  speak,  a  diary  of  the  disposition,  character, 
working  efficiency  and  sentiments  toward  the  road  of  the  men  who 
constitute  the  vast  human  machinery  of  the  corjjoration.  The  feeling 
which  culminates  in  a  general  strike  is  not  the  result  of  one  act 
alone,  but  a  slow  growth  made  up  of  many  grievances,  real  or  fancied. 
To  kee])  track  of  the  shifting  mental  attitude  of  his  emjjloyes  is  the 
aim  of  this  railroad  president.  If  a  certain  division  superintendent 
has  made  himself  unpoi)ular  with  his  subordinates  information  to 
that  effect  conies  by  "underground  wire"  to  the  central  office  and  the 
matter  is  taken  under  advisement.  If  the  newest  fireman  on  the 
road  attempts  to  stir  up  discontent  by  inflammatory  talk  his  views 
soon  reach  the  official  ear.  Every  leading  s]>irit  in  the  emi)loyes' 
organization  is  known  to  the  president,  who  also  knows  whether  in 
case  of  trouble  the  man  is  to  be  reckoned  upon  as  a  conservative  or 
a  radical.  Sometimes  this  works  out  a  num's  career  in  a  nuuiner 
quite  incomprehensible  to  liim.  For  instance.  Night  Watchman 
Hrown  is  shifted,  without  cause  that  he  can  fathom,  from  one  division 
to  another.     Mow   should   he   i<ii(>w   that   rumors  of  tro\ible   in   that 


136  THE  CALCIUM  LIGHT 

divisiou  have  leaclied  tlie  presidential  ear,  aud  that  he  himself,  being 
down  in  the  president's  little  book  as  a  speaker  of  weight  and  coun- 
sellor of  conservative  methods,  had  been  shifted  over  to  act  as  an 
unconscious  agent  in  checking  a  dangerous  tendency? 

"Some  of  the  admiring  co-workers  of  the  head  of  this  system  de- 
clare that  in  two  minutes'  reference  to  his  collected  funds  of  informa- 
tion he  can  unroll  the  family  history  of  the  woman  who  washes  the 
windows  of  car  4114:4,  and  tell  whether,  in  her  estimation,  he  himself 
is  an  oppressor  of  the  downtrodden,  or  a  perfect  gentleman. 

''When  so  many  invisible  lines  radiate  from  the  same  office  it  is 
inevitable  that  some  of  them  should  cross.  Curious  complications 
result  from  contact  between  spotters  as  unknown  to  each  other  as' 
they  are  to  those  whom  they  watch.  Several  years  ago  at  a  time  of 
general  railway  troubles,  a  certain  railroad  got  no  less  than  five  re- 
ports from  its  confidential  men  informing  them  that  an  employe  (who 
was  several  degrees  higher  in  the  secret  service  of  the  road  than 
any  of  them,  had  they  but  known  it)  had  been  making  incendiary 
speeches.  This  was  true.  Matters  had  so  shaped  themselves  that 
the  man  accused  had  to  appear  as  a  radical  in  order  to  gain  admit- 
tance to  inner  councils  where  the  important  questions  would  be  finally 
decided.  To  the  chagrin  of  the  authorities  they  were  obliged  to 
transfer  him.  Had  they  not  done  so  the  suspicions  of  the  men  who 
made  the  reports  would  have  been  aroused.  That  spotters  should 
know  each  other  as  such  is  held  to  be  highly  undesirable.  There  is 
always  the  chance  that  they  might  work  in  conjunction  instead  of 
acting  as  checks  on  each  other.'' 

No  one  should  object  to  "secret  service"  men  running  down  aud 
capturing  criminals;  but  when  an  employer  hires  men  who  are  honest 
enough  to  work  for  a  small  wage,  then  engages  other  men  to  watch 
them  who  are,  perhaps,  not  as  trustworthy  as  the  men  they  are  en- 
gaged to  watch,  his  actions  are  absurd  in  the  extreme.  When  men 
who  render  faithful  service  realize  that  thev  are  mistrusted  bv  their 
employers,  and  that  a  large  portion  of  the  wealth  they  create  is  given 
to  men  employed  to  watch  their  actions,  they  are  justified  in  becom- 
ing dissatisfied.  Discontent  brought  about  in  this  manner  eventually 
leads  to  trouble.  A  large  percentage  of  men  employed  by  corpora- 
tions to  do  detective  work  are  untrustworthy,  mlschiefmakers,  and 
criminals. 

During  the  month  of  May,  1901,  the  maintenance-of-way  men  on 
the  C.  P.  Railway  sent  their  representatives  to  INIontreal,  with  instruc- 
tions to  secure  an  agreement  with  the  company,  setting  forth  the 
amount  of  wages  they  should  receive  for  service  and  the  condiHons 


Turned  On  by  a  Raii.way  Trackman.  Kh 

under  whicli  llicy  should  work.  Had  the  railway  ofTlcials  taken  the 
matter  up  in  a  businesslike  way  with  the  trackmen's  representatives, 
convinced  them  that  they  were  williujL''  to  deal  willi  llu'ir  employes  in 
a  spirit  of  faiiness,  but  could  not  nu\ke  any  more  concessions  until 
the  earnings  of  the  road  increased,  there  would  have  been  no  strike. 
Instead  of  giving  their  men's  chosen  representatives  credit  for  l)eing 
honest,  loyal  to  themselves,  their  families,  and  the  com])any's  inter- 
ests, and  capable  of  doing  business  on  a  fair  basis,  they  put  a  number 
of  detectives  after  them  as  if  they  were  a  band  of  criminals. 

The  maintenance-of-way  men's  representatives  arrived  in  Mon- 
treal on  May  20,  and  stopped  at  the  (h'and  T'nion  Hotel.  About  the 
same  time  several  well-dressed,  well-appearing  men  registered  at  the 
same  hotel.  They  soon  became  acquainted  with  the  maintenance-of- 
w'ay  men's  representatives,  expressed  great  sympathy  with  the  track- 
men and  hoped  the  committee  would  obtain  all  they  were  contending 
for.  They  did  not,  how^ever,  inform  the  trackmen's  representatives 
what  their  business  was  or  why  they  were  staying  at  the  Grand  Union 
Hotel. 

When  negotiations  between  the  committee  and  the  officials  were 
broken  off  and  the  announcement  of  a  general  strike  by  the  mainte- 
nance-of-way men  was  made  public,  the  men  of  unknown  occupations 
expressed  regret  because  the  company  and  the  committee  did  not 
make  an  amicable  settlement  and  they  hoped  the  trackmen  would 
win  in  the  contest. 

When  several  detectives  are  detailed  to  look  after  a  matter  of  im- 
portance a  leader  is  selected  who  outlines  the  work  to  be  done.  Each 
man  is  assigned  to  do  the  work  he  is  best  fitted  for.  If  a  member  of 
a  committee  is  inclined  to  dissij)ate,  he  is  looked  after  by  a  detective 
who  is  a  heavy  drinker,  a  good  mixer  and  a  good  "jollier."  If  one 
is  of  a  "sporty"  disposition,  he  will  be  cared  for  by  a  "sport."  The 
man  who  can  be  induced  to  accept  a  bribe  will  be  waited  upon  by 
one  who  is  capable  of  controlling  him.  Men  employed  as  detectives 
are  usually  good  judges  of  hunmn  character.  They  can  readily  cap- 
ture and  handle  weak  men  placed  in  responsible  positions.  One  of 
the  grand  division  organizers  of  the  B.  R.  T.  of  A.  was  taken  in  by 
a  (\  P.  Ry.  detective,  who  obtained  through  him  an  introduction  to 
the  maintenance-of-way  men's  representatives.  Later  on,  a  represen- 
tative of  one  of  the  railway  brotherhoods,  while  in  Montreal,  made  a 
friendly  call  on  the  representatives  of  the  maintenance-of-way  men  at 
the  Grand  Union  Hotel,  and  when  leaving  he  was  accompanied  to 
the  railway  station  by  the  organizer  and  the  0.  P.  Ry.  detective.  A 
short  time  thereafter  the  writer  received  a  letter  from  bis  caller,  stat- 


138  THE  CALCIUM  LIGHT 

ing  that  lie  bad  been  severely  repriiuaiuled  by  bis  super-ior  officer  for 

expressing  sympatby  for  tbe  trackmen  on  strike.     He  also  stated  tbat 

tbe  organizer  and  tbe  man  introdnced  as  a  friend  (but  wbo  was  in 

reality  a  C.  P.  liy.  detective)  were  tbe  only  persons  wbo  beard  bini 

express  sympatby  for  tbe  trackmen,  and  tbat  tbe  officials  bad  a  ver- 

batim  report  of  tbe  conversation  wbieh  took  place  between  himself, 

the  organizer  and  bis   "supposed"  friend.     The  writer  pointed   out 

tbe  detective,  and  requested  the  committeemen  not  to  associate  with 

him.     One  of  the  committeemen  disregarded  the  warning  and  before 

tbe  strike  was  over  aided  the  company  in  its  efforts  to  defeat  tbe 

trackmen. 

False  reports  made  to  tbe  officials  by  their  detectives,  no  doubt, 

caused  tbe  strike  to  be  prolonged. 

Another  of  tbe  company's  employes,  holding  a  responsible  posi 
tion  in  one  of  tbe  departments,  took  board  and  lodging  at  tbe  Grand 
Union  Hotel.  One  evening  be  informed  the  writer  that,  owing  to 
false  reports  made  by  C.  P.  Ry.  detectives,  he  bad  been  dismissed 
from  the  company's  service.  Upon  being  asked  what  the  report  was 
he  stated:  "Detectives  have  reported  at  the  office  of  tbe  company 
that  I  was  closeted  with  you  (tbe  writer)  for  several  hours  and  re- 
vealed some  of  the  company's  valuable  sec  rets.  I  denied  the  charge, 
but  tbe  superintendent  stated  tbat  two  of  their  men,  wbo  w'ere  look- 
ing after  matters  at  tbe  Grand  I^uion  Hotel,  saw  you  and  me  enter 
a  room  and  overheard  all  tbat  passed  between  us." 

Tbe  accused,  knowing  that  be  bad  never  becMi  in  tbe  writer's  room 
nor  the  writer  in  bis,  told  tbe  superintendent  he  would  not  submit  to 
being  discharged  on  account  of  false  re])orts.  The  superintendent  re- 
quested him  to  remain  quiet  for  tbe  time  being,  and  gave  assurance 
tbat  if  be  did  so  be  would  be  reinstated  when  the  strike  was  over. 
Tbe  discharged  employe,  however,  felt  very  keenly  tbe  wrong  that 
was  being  imposed  upon  him  and  insisted  tbat  an  investigation  should 
be  held,  thereby  giving  him  an  oi)portunity  to  prove  his  innocence. 
He  took  tbe  position  tbat  tbe  detectives  who  made  the  report  should 
meet  him  and  tbe  president  of  tbe  R.  R.  T.  of  A.  in  tbe  presence  of 
tbe  superintendent,  and  intimated  tbat  if  an  impartial  bearing  was 
not  given  the  matter  at  an  early  date,  tbe  manner  in  which  he  bad 
been  treated  by  tbe  C.  P.  Ry.  officials  would  be  written  up  and  given 
out  for  publication.  Tbe  officials,  not  caring  to  reveal  the  identity 
of  tbe  detectives  who  made  the  false  report,  and  knowing  tbe  party 
contending  for  a  fair  investigation  was  a  man  of  some  influence,  and 
also  believing  tbat  it  would  not  be  good  policy  at  that  particular  time 
for  differences  with  their  employes  in  other  departments  to  be  made 
public,  reinstated  the  discharged  employe. 


TuRNKi)  On  hv  a  Railway  Tkackman.  139 

After  a  settlement  was  reached  and  tlie  irackiiien's  s(rike  >\as 
declared  ott",  the  writer  was  informed  by  a  party  residinj;-  in  Montreal 
that  an  acquaintance  of  his  (a  loafer  about  town  who  never  worked 
regularly  at  any  honorable  occupation)  had  acquired  a  new  suit  of 
clothes  and  seemed  to  be  well  supplied  with  money.  Being  asked 
the  cause  of  his  apparent  prosperity,  he  replied:  "I  have  struck  a 
good  thing.  During  the  trackmen's  strike  on  the  (\  1*.  Ky.  the  com- 
pany was  hard  pressed  for  men.  I  was  offered  |3.5t)  a  day,  with  board 
and  lodging,  to  work  for  them,  and  on  account  of  services  rendered 
at  that  time  1  have  been  added  to  their  permanent  staff  of  detectives." 
He  considered  his  position  a  "soft  snap,"  but  said  the  only  unpleas- 
ant feature  about  it  was  that  "he  would  have  to  wear  shabby  clothes 
and  live  in  cheap  lodging  houses  in  order  to  keep  in  touch  with  the 
maintenance-of-way  men  and  report  their  sentiments  in   regard  to 


organization. 


During  the  strike  the  company's  detectives  practically  enforced 
martial  law  in  many  places.  According  to  reports,  they  infringed 
with  impunity  upon  the  rights  of  citizens.  The  corporation  organs 
reported,  under  double  display  headlines,  that  the  strikers  and  their 
sympathizers  were  rioting,  tearing  up  track  and  destroying  property 
generally  at  Carnduff,  N.  W.  T.,  and  that  the  officers  of  the  law  were 
being  dispatched  to  that  place  to  subdue  the  rioters.  Such  reports 
were  dished  out  to  the  reading  public  by  the  company's  sympathizers 
to  make  the  people  believe  that  maintenance-of-way  men  were  a  law- 
less element  and.  unworthy  the  sympathy  of  good  citizens.  The  riot 
at  rarnduff"  referred  to  was  reported  by  a  track  foreman  residing  at 
that  place,  as  follows: 

"1  suppose  you  have  heard  of  the  rough  time  at  Carnduff  on  July 
22,  to  the  effect  that  the  strikers  tore  up  track,  and  so  forth,  and  of 
my  being  arrested  and  found  guilty.  I  was  thinking  of  writing  you 
for  some  time  past  to  inform  jou  correctly  of  what  transpired.  A 
gang  of  men  came  to  Carnduff  to  work.  I  was  at  the  station  when 
they  arrived.  They  went  down  to  where  the  hand-car  was  standing 
and  started  to  put  it  on  the  track.  I  walked  down  and  asked  them 
if  they  knew  they  were  taking  the  places  of  men  on  a  strike.  They 
said  they  did  not,  but  were  told  the  strike  was  over  before  they  left 
Winnipeg.  When  I  told  them  it  was  still  pending,  they  said:  'That 
settles  it.'  The  foreman  of  the  gang  remarked:  'We  are  not  anxious 
to  work;  we  are  having  a  good  time  and  are  being  well  paid.'  They 
returned  to  Napinka  that  night  and  reportcnl  that  Oarnduff"  w^as  a 
rough  town;  that  a  gang  of  citizens,  led  by  me,  kept  them  from  work- 
ing.    A  C.  P.  solicitor  arrived  Saturday  and  seven  policemen  came 


140  THE  CALCIUM  LIGHT 

Mouday  witli  a  carload  of  }j;ims  and  amniuuitioii.  On  being  informed 
that  Mr.  Leonard  had  hiid  a  coniphiiut  against  nie,  I  said:  'All  right, 
I  will  go  with  you.'  They  took  me  before  Justices  of  the  Peace  Smith 
and  Hawkes  and  placed  against  me  the  charge  of  tresijassing  on  the 
C.  P.  Ey.  right-of-way.  As  I  frequently  had  occasion  to  cross  the 
track,  and  was  on  the  C.  P.  Ry.  right-of-way  when  arrested,  of  course 
the  charge  was  sustained.  The  fine  was  |;3.50  and  costs;  total,  fi.oO. 
This  is  the  only  excuse  they  had  for  circulating  the  report  that  the 
citizens  of  Carndutt'  were  rioting  and  destroying  property.  Our  town 
is  inhabited  by  law-abiding  citizens  and  we  would  not  allow  lawless 
people  to  destroy  the  property  of  any  one." 

The  treatment  of  citizens  bv  C.  P.  Rv.  detectives  in  the  vicinity  of 
Peterboro,  Ontario,  is  explained  in  the  following  extract  from  the 
Peterboro  Review  of  July  26: 

"A  case  occurred  here  last  night  which  should  be  investigated, 
for  it  is  not  in  keeping  with  the  justice  and  fair  play  that  is  boasted 
of  under  British  institutions.  About  1  o'clock  this  morning  one  of 
the  C.  P.  Ry.  special  constables  brought  two  prisoners  to  the  police 
station  and  lo<ked  them  up.  In  accordance  with  usual  proceedings, 
Constable  Adams  accommodated  the  railway  officer.  The  two  men 
gave  their  names  as  Albert  Elliott,  of  Cavanville,  and  Wm.  Spofford, 
of  Pontypool — both  track  foremen.  They  came  to  town  to  attend  last 
night's  meeting  and  went  to  the  C.  P.  Ry.  station  to  see  some  of  the 
men  off  on  the  midnight  train.  After  the  train  went  out  they  were 
standing  on  the  platform,  talking  to  a  third  man,  when  a  C.  P.  Ry. 
constable  approached  and  asked  them  what  they  were  doing.  They 
did  not  think  it  anv  of  his  business.  He  arrested  one  of  them  and 
started  up  town  with  him;  the  other  two  followed  to  see  what  was 
going  to  be  done,  and  when  they  overtook  the  constable  and  his  pris- 
oner on  George  street  he  arrested  the  second  man.  The  men  made 
no  resistance,  but  went  with  him  to  the  police  station,  where  they 
were  locked  up.  The  railway  constable  said  he  would  be  on  hand 
in  the  court  at  9  o'clock  to  lay  charges  and  proceed  against  the  pris- 
oners. The  two  men,  who  were  quiet  and  respectable  looldng,  re- 
mained in  their  cells  all  night,  and  at  9  o'clock  Magistrate  Dumble 
was  on  hand,  but  no  railway  constable  appeared  to  lay  a  complaint 
or  to  explain  matters.  After  waiting  till  9:30  the  magistrate  dis- 
charged the  prisoners  and  the  chief  gave  them  their  liberty.  Chief 
Roszel  is  indignant  at  such  actions.  This  is  the  second  time  such 
arrests  have  been  made,  but  no  one  appeared  to  lay  charges  against 
the  prisoners." 

The  moral  of  this  is  that  it  is  unwise  to  become  confidential  with 


Turned  On  by  a  Railway  Trackman.  141 

persons  on  short  acquaintance;  also,  that  the  greatest  rascals  and 
even  criminals,  who  should  themselves  be  doing  service  in  stripes, 
are  often  placed  in  positions  where  they  can  use  the  cloak  and 
machinery  of  the  law  to  annoy  and  oppress  the  innocent. 

CHAPTER  XV. 
INFLUENCE  OF  LABOR  UNIONS. 

In  recent  years  many  of  the  silly  and  ungrounded  prejudices 
against  labor  organizations  have  disappeared,  and  those  who  enter- 
tained them  have  in  many  instances  become  enthusiastic  su])})orters 
and  advocates  of  the  teachings  and  i)rinciples  of  modern  unionism. 
It  has  been  learned  that  instead  of  labor  unions  being  fomenters  of 
anarchy  and  lawlessness  they  are  in  fact  among  the  strongest  safe- 
guards of  law,  order  and  morality.  Instead  of  being  composed  of 
reckless,  dissolute  and  immoral  persons,  such  characters  are  barred 
from  membershij)  in  all  labor  unions,  and  if  an  occasional  exception 
to  this  rule  is  found,  it  is  not  more  a  reflection  upon  labor  unions  as 
a  whole,  than  the  defaulting  teller  is  a  reflection  ui)on  the  banking 
system,  a  bribe-taking  olticial  upon  popular  government  or  a  carnal- 
minded  minister  of  the  gospel  upon  the  Christian  religion.  The  more 
intelligent  and  more  respectable  persons  employed  in  every  handicraft 
are  found  among  the  members  of  the  union  of  their  craft,  and  the 
higher  the  standard  of  intelligence  becomes  among  such  craftsmen 
(and  it  necessarily  becomes  higher  and  higher  as  a  result  of  their 
close  affiliations  and  frequent  discussions  in  their  union  meetings) 
the  greater  becomes  the  safety  of  all  institutions  which  are  estab- 
lished for  the  public  weal,  and  the  greater  will  be  the  security  of  the 
government  of  which  they  are  in  part  components  or  auxiliaries.  Hut 
if  through  public  indifference  or  lethargy  laws  inimical  to  the  people's 
welfare  are  permitted  to  be  enacted  by  faithless  officials  the  labor 
unions  are  the  first  to  make  the  discovery  and  the  last  to  give  up  the 
fight  to  have  such -laws  lepealed.  Lust  for  private  gain  is  the  chief 
source  of  all  vici(»us  and  pernicious  legislation,  and  opposition  to  such 
lust  led  to  the  establishment  of  craft  organizations  as  restrainers  of 
evil  tendencies,  ^'icc  and  immorality  hold  their  highest  carnival  in 
districts  where  poverty  is  greatest,  and  unionism  is  the  remedy  for 
poverty.  The  labor  unions  seek  a  better  distribution  of  the  wealth  of 
the  woild  among  those  whose  labor  creates  it,  and  as  the  unions  are 
multiplied  poverty  is  diminished  and  ciime,  which  poverty  propagates, 
is  correspondingly  decreased.  \\'hen  a  man  can  earn  a  living  by 
honest  labor  he  is  not  a]>t  to  beg  oi-  steal,  and  the  casici-  il  is  foi-  him 
to  find^  employ nu'nt  the  more  certain  will  be  his  quest  for  it.     When 


142  THE  CALCIUM  LIGHT 

he  knows  that  employment  cannot  be  had,  or,  if  obtainable,  that  his 
wages  will  be  too  low  to  enable  him  to  suijply  his  own  needs,  and  the 
needs  of  those  dependent  upon  him,  the  chances  are  in  favor  of  his 
becoming  a  beggar  or  even  a  criminal,  for  it  is  a  short  road  that  lends 
from  beggary  to  crime,  and  many  are  the  gates  that*  lead  thereto,  but 
there  is  no  road  leading  back  from  crime  to  respectability.  Labor 
unions  are  doing  more  than  any  other  agency  to  close  the  avenues 
which  lead  to  crime.  As  labor  creates  all  wealth,  it  is  but  just  that 
labor  should  share  more  equitably  in  its  distribution — a  condition 
aimed  at  by  all  classes  of  organized  labor. 

Labor  unions  stand  for  high  wages  and  improved  conditions  of 
life,  physically,  mentally,  morall}'  and  socially.  The  skilled  mechanic 
who  receives  high  wages  and  spends  his  earnings  to  maintain  a  well- 
regulated  home  assists  and  encourages  every  branch  of  legitimate 
business  enterprise.  He  s])ends  his  surplus  earnings  for  books  that 
will  instruct  the  members  of  his  household  and  for  i)ictuies,  furniture, 
bric-a-brac,  etc.,  that  will  beautify  and  make  comfortable  his  home. 
He  patronizes  the  merchant  and  the  tradesman,  as  well  as  the  institu- 
tions of  learning.  He  is  a  respected  citizen,  a  useful  member  of 
society,  a  credit  and  beneiit  to  any  country.  Being  upright  and 
honest,  he  is  indeed  the  noblest  work  of  flod.  But  how  about  the 
poor,  underpaid  laborer  who  is  half  the  time  unemployed  and  who 
has  not  enough  spirit  to  demand  pay  for  the  work  he  does, — who  lives 
more  upon  charity  than  ujton  the  wages  he  receives.  He  is  about  as 
useful  to  society  and  about  as  well  thought  of  as  a  stray  dog  that 
gets  its  living  from  garbage  receptacles  in  back  alleys  and  is  kept 
busy  most  of  the  time  dodging  missies  hurled  by  street  gamins  who 
are  but  little  more  fortunate  in  the  way  of  home  comforts  than  the 
object  of  their  assault.  He  is  miserable  himself  and  imparts  misery 
to  those  about  him.  The  progress  of  a  nation  is  measured  by  the 
progress  of  its  workers,  and  the  progress  of  the  workers  is  c«-equal 
with  the  development  of  labor  unions.  With  the  shortening  of  the 
hours  of  labor  began  the  active  period  of  mechanical  invention.  The 
labor-saving  machinery  of  the  j)i-esent — some  of  which  seems  almost 
endowed  with  human  intelligence,  and  all  of  which  is  marvelous  in 
construction  and  almost  miraculous  when  contemplated  from  the 
standpoint  of  s])eed  and  efficiency — has  been  evolved  from  the  brains 
of  mechanics  who,  under  the  imi)roved  conditions  of  service  which 
organized  effort  has  brought  about,  have  found  an  opportunity  to 
develop  a  latent  or  inherent  geaius  for  mechanical  contrivances  and 
inventions.  Able  writers  afld  logicians  have  forcibly  illustrated  the 
close  relation  betweeu-nic  commercial  su])remacy  of  the  Lnited  States 


Turned  On  by  a  Railway  Trackman.  143 

and  the  liij^h  standard  of  Ameriran  latjor.     The  suju'iior  skill  and 
"ability  of  Anieiican  mechanics,  when  contrasted  with  the  mechanics 
of  other  countries,  is  attributable  in  a  yreat  measure  to  their  craft 
organizations  or  unions  where  the  members  asseml)le  and  exchanji;e 
ideas  upon  matters  pertaining  to  their  vocations,  thus  bringing  the 
newest  developments  and  most  practical  methods  of  ]»rocedure  to  the 
attention  of  all  members  of  the  union,  so  that  each  may  share  alike  in 
the  benefits  of  such  knowledge  or  inventions.     At  the  present  day 
every  well-regulated  trade  union  of  national  oi-  international  import- 
ance maintains  an  official  publication  through  which  the  members,  no 
matter  where  they  reside,  are  kept  advised  of  all  improvements  made 
in  eitlier  the  machinery  or  the  methods  by  which  their  v,ork  is  done. 
Bucli  publication  usually  partakes  of  the  nature  and  the  form  of  a 
magazine,  varying  in  tlie  number  and  size  of  its  pages  according  to 
the  advancement,  intelligence,  and  financial  limitations  of  the  class  in 
whose  behalf  it  is  publislied,  and  in  many  instances  the  official  publi- 
cation of  the  organization  in  which  the  head  of  the  family  holds  mem- 
bership takes  the  place  of  newspaper,  magazine,  text-book  and  testa- 
ment.    These  labor  journals   exert  a  great  infiuence  for  good  in  the 
homes  where  they  are  read,  as  their  pages  are  not  smirched  with  the 
social  sensations  and  scandals,  the  fawnings  ujjon  nobility  and  wealth, 
the  stories  of  crime  and  adventure  which  till  the  pages  of  secular 
newspapers  and  make  them  unfit  for  the  eyes  of  young  persons  whose 
minds  are  impressionable  and  whose  careers  in  life  may  be  turned 
from  good  to  evil  by  reading  gilded  stories  of  the  splendor  in  which 
many  persons  of  unknown  occupation  and  dissolute  character  live. 
A  young  mind  receiving  its  first  impressions  of  the  aims,  responsibili- 
ties and  duties  of  life  from  the  pages  of  a  labor  union  journal  will 
retain  those  impressions  through  life  and  guide  its  possessor,  in  nine 
cases  out  of  ten,  along  the  i)aths  of  established  moral  rectitude.     I 
have  already  said  that  "the  persons  of  greatest  intelligence  employed 
in  every  handicraft  are  found  among  the  members  of  the  union  of 
their  craft."     I  want  to  nuike  the  application  broader  by  saying  that 
the  persons  of  greatest  intelligence  employed  in  every  vocation  in  life 
have  established  unions  for  their  mutual  benefit,  and  although  some 
of  these  unions  are  known  by  names  less  repulsive  to  the  minds  of  the 
capitalistic  class,  which  takes  delight  in  robbing  labor  of  its  legiti- 
mate earnings,  they  are  unions,  nevertheless.     The  medical  student 
passes  his  examination,  pays  his  fee  and  obtains  a  diploma,  which  is 
the  same  to  him  as  the  "working  card"  is  to  the  member  of  a  trade 
union.     ?Te  cannot  practice  medicine  until  he  does  this,  and  if,  after 
obtaining  his  diploma,  he  violates  the  fixed  rules  of  his  union  he  be-- 


144  THE  CALCIUM  LIGHT 

comes  a  *'quaek,"  which  is  synonj-mous  in  the  parlance  of  his  piofes- 
sion  with  the  word  "scab"  in  the  language  of  labor.  The  lawyer 
serves  his  apprenticeship  and  is  admitted  to  the  "bar,"  which  is  the 
lawyer's  union,  and  if  he  fails  to  gain  admission  to  this  union  he  is 
barred  from  the  practice  of  law  in  all  the  courts  of  the  country.  The 
courts  which  prosecute  workingmen  for  defending  their  unions  will 
not  even  allow  a  "legal  scab"  to  appear  before  them.  Even  the  minis- 
ters who  preach  the  Holy  Word  are  members  of  their  "conference," 
and  the  regulations  of  the-  conference  are  as  stringent  as  ever  a  labor 
organization  dared  to  adopt.  The  merchants  and  bankers  have  their 
unions,  which  are  called  associations,  and  the  manufacturers'  union 
is  called  a  "trust."  If  a  manufacturer  refuses  to  be  coerced  into  join- 
ing the  particular  trust  which  has  assumed  dictatorial  powers  over 
his  special  line  of  production,  his  "inalienable  right"  as  a  citizen  of 
this  great  republic  to  be  an  "independent"  manufacturer  is  knocked 
into  a  "cocked-hat"  by  the  manufacturers'  union,  and  in  the  end  his 
business  is  either  absorbed  by  the  trust  or  sold  by  the  sheriff. 

The  difference  between  the  "trust  union"  and  the  labor  union  is 
that  the  former  aims  to  concentrate  the  wealth  of  the  country  in  the 
hands  of  the  favored  few  by  destroying  competition  in  various  lines 
of  industry,  and,  by  securing  a  monopoly  of  the  market  and  curtailing 
the  supply,  to  be  able  to  fix  absolutely,  not  only  the  price  of  raw 
material  and  the  price  of  the  finished  product,  but  the  price  of  every- 
thing that  enters  into  the  cost  of  production,  including  rent,  fuel  and 
the  wages  of  labor,  making  the  workers  absolutely  dependent  upon 
the  ''trust"  and  practically  its  slaves,  whereas  the  labor  union  aims 
to  secure  a  fairer  distribution  of  the  wealth  which  labor  creates  by 
giving  a  larger  portion  of  it  to  the  laborers  themselves,  thus  bene- 
fiting not  only  the  millions  of  laborers,  but  the  hundreds  of  thousands 
of  people  who  have  their  money  invested  in  various  business  enter- 
prises, the  success  of  which  depends  entirely  upon  the  prosperity  of 
the  wage-earning  class.  Were  it  not  for  the  labor  unions  the  wealth 
of  the  country  would  be  so  rapidly  concentrated  that  nmny  now  living 
would  see  conditions  in  America  akin  to  those  which  have  immedi- 
ately preceded  and  hastened  the  destructioin  of  national  life  in  other 
countries — conditions  which  are  always  precursors  of  impending  evil, 
as  indicated  by  the  following  lines: 

"111  fares  the  land,  to  hastening  ills  a  prey, 
Where  wealth  accumulates  and  men  decay." 

Labor  unions  are  not  opposed  to  wealth.  They  are  only  opposed 
to  its  concentration  in  the  hands  (tf  those  who  use  their  wealth  to 
oppress  those  who  create  it.     Right  valiantly  are  the  unions  defending 


Turned  On  by  a  Railway  Trackman.  145 

the  toilers'  homes  ;nid  firesides,  but  their  struggle  is  not  vet  ended; 
their  battle  is  not  yet  ^von.  (Iradually,  through  organized  ett'ort,  the 
laborers  will  secure  better  conditions  for  themselves,  better  contracts 
with  their  employers;  but  they  must  eventually  learn  that  it  is  in 
their  power,  through  political  action,  to  make  their  government  bene- 
ficial instead  of  burdensome  to  their  class.  The  question  of  the  rights 
of  labor  has  been  the  subject  of  much  discussion  and  debate  among 
politicians,  and  many  platforms  framed  by  political  parties  have  con- 
tained planks  which  promised  much  aid  and  gave  new  hope  to  the 
laboring  classes,  but  party  platforms  are  too  often  like  those  of  pass- 
enger trains — "made  to  get  in  on,  and  not  to  stand  on."  When  the 
labor  unions  are  strong  enough  to-  elect  their  own  members  to  the 
legislative  bodies,  then  the  question  of  labor's  rights  will  be  settled, 
and  settled  in  the  proper  way.  Just  laws  will  be  enacted  and  the 
privileged  class  will  be  dethroned.  To  those  who  think  such  relief  is 
but  a  remote  possibility  I  would  say  that  the  best  thoughts  of  the 
brightest  minds  in  the  country  are  pointing  out  the  way  to  its  achieve- 
ment. The  greatest  newspapers  in  the  country,  such  as  the  Hearst 
publications,  are  helping  them.  Public  sentiment  is-  almost  ripe  for 
such  action.  The  privileged  class  is  hastening  its  own  doom  by  rea- 
son of  its  arrogance  and  utter  disregard  for  the  rights  or  even  the 
lives  of  those  who  are  outside  its  sacred  portals.  The  privileged  class 
is  mad  because  many  of  its  votaries  are  deserting  it  and  seeking  the 
ship  of  safety.  There  is  an  old  saying  that  "whom  the  gods  would 
destroy  they  first  make  mad."  This  saying  is  now  one  of  serious  por- 
tent for  the  enemies  of  labor.  By  their  wrath  they  are  paving  the 
way  for  their  final  overthrow.  In  the  meantime  labor  unions  are 
growing  in  numerical  strength  and  in  public  favor,  because  the  public 
has  at  last  awakened  to  the  fact  that  unions  are  real  public  bene- 
factors. They  have  been  proclaimed  legal  and  beneficial  combina- 
tions by  the  highest  tribunals  in  the  iand,  while  the  trusts,  which  are 
their  greatest  enemies,  have  been  denounced  as  "criminal  conspira- 
cies." The  rise  of  labor  has  given  new  inspiration  to  the  muses  and 
from  the  many  beautiful  and  animating  tributes  to  its  strength  and 
courage  the  following  from  the  pen  of  America's  most  gifted  poetess, 
Ella  Wheeler  ^^'ilcox,  is  selected  to  conclude  this  chapter: 

I  hear  in  the  vibrant  voices 

Of  winds  a  jubilant  tone, 
For  the  heart  of  the  world  rejoices 

That  labor  will  claim  its  own. 
It  has  lain   in  the  dust  for  ages. 

By  the  feet  of  Might  downtrod. 
And   the    world    stood   back    and    cried    "Alack! 

But  this  is  the  will  of  God. 


146  .  THE  CALCIUM  LIGHT 

He  has  put  His  curse  on  Labor, 

It  suffers  for  Adam's  sin." 
But  truth,  like  the  stroke  of  a  sabre, 

Has  let  the  sunlight  in. 
She  has  torn  down  the  creed-made  curtain, 

She  is  showing  the  true  God's  face, 
And  it  is  not  dark  Avith  hatred's  mark. 

But  fair  with  love's  own  grace. 

He  is  not  a  God  of  classe-s. 

He  is  not  a  God  of  gold. 
But  He  is  the  God  of  the  masses, 

Who  toil  in  the  heat  and  cold. 
And  into  the  heart  of  Labor, 

Desolate,  sick  and  numb. 
He  speaks  from  the  skies  and  says  "Arise, 

For  the  day  and  the  hour  have  come." 

And  out  of  the  man-made  prison. 

Out  of  the  dark  and  the  dust. 
Has  labor  at  last  arisen, 

And  it  cries  to  Might,  "Be  just!" 
It  waits  no  word  and  no  gesture; 

In  the  calmness  of  strength  it  stands. 
It  pleaded  too  long  at  the  ear  of  wrong. 

Unheard — and  now   it  demands.  ^ 

Oh,  slow  are  (iod's  mills  in  grinding. 

But  they  grind  exceeding  small. 
And  the  greedy  of  heart  shall  1)e  finding 

That  God  is  the  God  of  all. 
They  shall  learn  that  the  Mighty  Toiler, 

The  maker  of  men  and  things. 
Of  earth  and  star,  and  the  worlds  afar, 

Ranks  Labor  above  crowned  kings. 

Oh,  heart  of  Labor,  keep  steady. 

And  stand  for  the  rights  you  need, 
For  the  world  was  never  so  ready 

To  welcome   the   fall  of  greed. 
The  waves  of  our  prayers,  like  billows. 

Shall  bear  your  hopes  on  their  crest. 
And  carry  you  out  of  the  narrows  of  doubt. 

And  into  the  harbor  of  rest. 


TuKNivi)  On  hv  a  Railway  Trackman.  147 

CHAPTER  XVI. 

FREE  LABOR  AND  LABOR  LAWS. 

The  statements  contained  in  tliis  cliaplei-  are  mostly  taken  from 
a  very  interesting  dissertation  on  "Labor  and  Labor  Laws"  found  in 
volume  six  of  the  Americanized  Encyclopedia  Britannica,  in  which  it 
is  shown  that  "in  every  age,  and  country,  until  times  comx^aratively 
recent,  compulsory  i)ersonal  servitude  has  been  the  lot  of  the  greater 
portion  of  mankind."  The  first  legislation  directly  bearing  upon  labor 
in  England  dates  as  far  back  as  the  reign  of  Edward  III  (lOT'^-lOOt;). 
The  earlier  labor  laws  were  very  stringent,  and  not  only  compelled  all 
able-bodied  men  and  women  under  the  age  of  (>0  years,  and  "not  hav- 
ing of  their  own  whereof  to  live,"  or  engaged  in  the  exercise  of  some 
craft  or  living,  in  merchandise,  or  having  land  to  till,  to  serve  at  fixed 
wages  under  penalty'  of  imprisonment,  but — what  seems  to  have  been 
a  needless  j^recaution,  in  view  of  the  present  tendency  of  employers  to 
cut  wages  to  the  lowest  possible  point — they  also  provided  that  any 
person  paying  more  than  the  fixed  rate  of  wages  "should  forfeit  double 
what  he  had." 

In  1300  the  ''Statute  of  Laborers"  was  amended  by  providing  ad- 
ditional penalties  for  violation  of  agreements  entered  into  between 
those  who  would  now  be  designated  as  master  builders  and  the  men 
engaged  in  the  building  trades.  If  a  mason  or  carpenter,  or  other 
artificer  or  laborer  employed  under  contract,  absented  himself  from 
service  before  the  completion  of  the  contract  he  was  proceeded  against 
under  the  statute  of  outlawry,  and  if  the  aggrieved  party  demanded  it 
and  the  justice  so  decreed,  he  was  branded  with  the  letter  ''F"  in 
token  of  his  falsity.  There  appears,  however,  to  have  been  no  law  at 
that  time  against  the  indiscriminate  discharge  of  artificers  or  laborers 
at  the  will  of  the  masters,  which  fact  is  significant  when  coupled  with 
the  statement  that  about  this  time  occurred  the  first  rebellion  of 
w'hich  we  have  any  authentic  history  among  artificers  against  the 
"overseers  of  the  trade." 

During  the  reign  of  Richard  II  (1.SS8),  a  law  was  passed  under 
the  provisions  of  which  no  man  or  woman  could  depart  out  of  the 
hundred  (a  territorial  division  embracing  one  hundred  families  or 
freemen),  to  serve  elsewhere,  without  first  obtaining  letters-patent, 
under  the  king's  seal,  showing  the  cause  of  going  and  the  time  of 
return.  Agricultural  laborers  were  divided  into  classes,  and  the 
wages  of  each  class  were  fixed  by  law;  and  it  was  also  ordained  and 
enacted  that  ''he  or  she  which  useth  to  labor  at  the  plow  or  the  cart, 
or  other  labor  or  service  of  husbandry,  till  they  be  of  the' age  of  twelve 
years,  shall  from  thenceforth  abide  at  the  said  labor  without  being  put 


148  THE  CALCIUM  LIGHT 

at  auy  trade  or  handicraft.  Thus  the  hiw  of  caste,  wliich  establishes 
the  social  rank  of  the  Hindoo  and  the  Brahmin,  was  made  serviceable 
to  the  "masters  of  husbandry"  in  England  in  the  fourteenth  century. 
In  the  fifteenth  century,  under  the  reign  of  Henry  IV,  a  law  Avas 
passed  which  placed  a  property  qualification  on  ai)prenticeships,  and 
required  "children  to  be  put  at  such  labor  as  their  fathers  and  mothers 
were  of,"  under  penalty  of  one  year's  imprisonment,  fine  and  ransom. 
The  penalty  for  receiving  such  apprentices  was  a  fine  of  one  hundred 
shillings.  Laborers  and  artificers  who  would  not  swear  to  observe 
these  statutes  were  sentenced  to  the  stocks;  but  this  monarch  was  so 
enthusiastic  for  the  spread  of  knowledge  among  his  subjects  that  he 
had  inserted  in  the  above  mentioned  statutes  a  clause  providing  that 
"any  person  may  send  his  children  to  school  to  learn  literature." 

In  1423  justices  of  the  peace  were  given  power  to  compel  masters 
as  well  as  servants  to  appear  before  them  for  examination  as  to  the 
execution  of  the  statutes.  Prior  to  this  all  labor  legislation  was  in 
favor  of  the  masters  (employers),  and  near  the  close  of  the  fifteenth 
century  a  statute  was  framed  fixing  minutely  the  wages  of  laborers 
and  artisans,  especially  those  engaged  in  building.  This  law  also 
provided  that  if  such  artificers  should  "make  or  cause  to  be  made  anj' 
assembly  or  assault,  harm  or  hurt  any  person  assigned  to  control  and 
oversee  them  in  their  working,"  they  should  be  "imprisoned  for  one 
year,  without  letting  to  bail,  and  further  fined  at  the  king's  pleasure." 
Earlier  in  the  same  century,  during  the  reign  of  Henry  VI,  a  law  was 
enacted  which,  after  reciting  that  "by  the  annual  congregations  and 
confederacies  made  by  masons  in  their  general  chapters  assembled,  the 
good  courses  and  effects  of  the  'Statute  of  Laborers'  are  publicly  vio- 
lated and  broken,  in  subversion  of  the  law,  and  to  the  grievous  dam- 
age of  all  the  commonality,"  forbade  the  assemblage  of  such  chapters 
and  congregations,  making  it  a  felony  for  such  to  be  held;  but  in 
1514  a  law  was  passed  which  regulated  wages  and  hours  of  labor,  and 
''even  the  summer-day  sleep  of  the  laborers  and  artisans." 

The  great  social  revolution  caused  by  the  suppression  of  the  mon- 
asteries, and  consequent  withdrawal  of  the  support  which  these  insti- 
tutions afforded  to  indigent  persons,  led  to  a  dispersion  of  beggars 
and  mendicants  over  the  whole  country,  many  of  whom  were  able  to 
work  but  unwilling  to  do  so,  preferring  to  live  in  idleness  by  begging. 
Under  these  circumstances  cruel  statutes  were  passed  for  the  punish- 
ment of  vagrants.  In  1530  a  person  able  in  body,  found  begging  or 
being  vagrant,  and  unable  to  give  a  satisfactory  account  of  how  he 
obtained  his  living,  might  be  arrested  by  a  constable,  and  a  justice  of 
the  peace  might  cause  every  such  person  to  be  taken  to  the  nearest 


Turned  On  by  a  Railway  Trackman.  149 

town,  and  there  tied,  naked,  to  a  cart  and  "beaten  with  whips  through 
the  town  till  his  body  be  bloody  by  reason  of  such  whipping."  He 
was  then  required  to  return  to  his  native  town  to  labor,  and  every 
time  he  made  default  the  whipping  was  repeated.  Later  on  vagrants 
were  branded  with  the  letter  "^'"  and  adjudged  to  be  the  slaves,  for 
two  years,  of  anyone  who  would  buy  them.  If  a  slave  ran  away  be- 
fore the  term  for  which  he  had  been  sold  expired  the  letter  "S"  was 
burned  into  his  cheek  with  a  red-hot  iron  and  he  became  the  slave  of 
his  master  for  life.     If  he  again  ran  away  the  punishment  was  death. 

During  the  i-eign  of  Elizabeth  all  former  labor  statutes  were  re- 
pealed and  new  laws  enacted,  the  chief  object  being  to  establish  new 
rates  of  wages  and  to  regulate  the  terms  of  employment  between  em- 
ployers and  emplojes.  Notice  had  been  taken  of  the  general  rise  in 
prices,  and  higher  wage  rates  were  established  in  some  places.  In 
Scotland,  during  the  sixteenth  century,  there  was  much  complaining 
among  the  masters  on  account  of  the  raise  in  wages,  and  early  in  the 
seventeenth  century  justices  were  directed  to  fix  at  quarterly  ses- 
sions, the  ordinary  hire  and  wage  of  workmen  and  ''to  imprison  those 
who  refused  to  work  for  the  appointed  hire."  About  the  middle  of 
the  eighteenth  century  the  summary  jurisdiction  of  justices  in  the 
matter  of  disputes  between  employers  and  employes  in  relation  to 
contracts  and  agreements,  was  regulated,  and  laborers  and  artisans 
were  no  longer  com])elled  to  enter  into  involuntary  service.  As  late 
as  1867,  however,  laborers  were  imprisoned  for  leaving  the  service  of 
emplo3'ers  before  the  term  agreed  upon  had  expired.  Under  the  pro- 
visions of  the  "Masters  and  Servants  Act"  passed  that  year,  a  simple 
breach  of  contract  was  not  punishable  by  imprisonment.  Eight  years 
later  the  title  of  this  act  was  changed,  "Masters  and  Servants"  being 
droi)ped  and  "Employers  and  Workmen"  substituted.  In  1875  the 
prime  minister  of  England  declared  that  for  the  first  time  in  the 
history  of  the  country  employer  and  employed  sat  under  equal  laws. 

From  the  foregoing  it  can  be  seen  through  what  tribulations  free 
labor  has  i)assed  during  the  last  ten  <-enturies  and  through  what 
tedious  ])rocesses  its  present  status  has  been  achieved.  It  is  a  long- 
stride  fi'om  compulsory  service  under  most  exacting  conditions  to 
voluntary  service  under  conditions  satisfactory  to  those  em])Ioyed. 
Although  present-day  conditions,  viewed  from  the  standi»oint  of  the 
wage-earner,  are  not  as  pleasant  and  agreeable  as  c(»uld  be  desired, 
they  are  so  vastly  improved  over  those  which  prevailed  even  a  century 
ago  as  to  give  to  laboi-  am])le  cause  to  hope  that  henceforth  th<'  trend 
of  l«\gislation  on  labor  matters  will  be  in  the  direction  of  even  greater 
libeities  and  i)ri\ileges  for  those  who  live  bv  manual   labor.     While 


150  THE  CAI.CIUM  LIGHT 

the  process  of  labor's  evolution  has  been  slow  throughout  the  preced- 
ing centuries,  and  its  stages  of  development  marked  by  long  inter- 
vening periods  of  apparent  inactivity  or  resignation  to  the  decrees  of 
intellectually  superior  forces,  tlie  fire  of  industrial  freedom  has  been 
fed  from  many  sources  and  fanned  by  the  free  winds  of  heaven  until 
it  has  become  a  raging,  seething,  consuming  flame  which  the  forces 
of  lust  and  greed  and  vanity  can  never  again  i)ut  under  restraint. 
There  is  certainly  vast  quantities  of  matter  which  proi)erly  shouM 
be  fuel  for  this  flame,  but  yet  resists  its  advances,  even  as  a  green  log 
momentarily  resists  the  fire  which  afterward  consumes  it.  But,  as 
the  log  which  is  slowest  in  yielding  to  the  flames  which  surround  it 
retains  the  heat  longest,  even  so  the  men  who  are  slowest  in  embrac- 
ing and  proclaiming-  the  principles  of  trade  unionism  as  the  instrli- 
ment  by  which  labor's  comi)lete  emancipation  must  be  accomplished 
will  be  the  most  persistent  in  their  advocacy  of  this  doctrine  when 
its  burning  truths  have  penetrated  their  understanding.  All  around 
us  we  have  illustrations  of  this  fact,  which  is  so  self-evident  to  even 
the  superficial  observer  of  the  progress  of  trade  unionism  that  it  is 
generally  accepted  as  a  labor  axiom.  During  the  year  1901  the  mem- 
bership of  the  American  Federation  of  I^abor  was  augmented  by  more 
than  three  hundred  and  fifty  thousand  recruits  from  the  ranks  of  the 
toilers — a  fact  of  itself  so  significant  that  it  requires  no.  elucidation 
in  this  chapter.  And  now  the  question  of  transcendant  importance 
in  the  minds  of  the  leaders  of  organized  labor  is  not  how  to  make 
organization  more  complete,  but  how  best  to  handle  the  forces  under 
their  control  to  secure  for  their  constituents  the  greatest  benefits 
without  doing  injury  to  those  for  whom  they  have  no  authority  to 
act. 

CHAPTER  XVII. 
ORGANIZING  THE  TRACKMEN. 

My  first  thought  of  organizing  the  maintenance-of-way  men  was 
entertained  in  the  spring  of  1SS7.  Having  given  the  subject  much 
consideration;  having  weighed  the  hardships,  sacrifices,  expenses  to 
be  met,  and  the  ends  to  be  gained,  I  decided,  notwithstanding  all  these, 
that  an  organization  of  maintenance-of-way  men  was  not  only  possible 
but  necessary  to  their  personal  welfare  as  regards  wages,  advance- 
ment and  freedom.  There  was  a  vast  difference  between  believing 
that  maintenance-of-way  men  needed  a  protective  organization,  and 
being  able  to  bring  such  an  organization  into  effective  operation.  It 
is  easier  to  suggest  plans  of  relief  than  to  operate  them.  The  reader 
can   readily   see  the   many   difficulties^ — inability,   poverty,   jealousy, 


Turned  Ox  hy  a  Railway  Trackman.  151 

prejudice,  and  ojiposilioii  fioin  within  and  wltliont — that  would 
naturally  lisc^  (o  the  view  of  a  thinking  mind.  l>ut.  fortunately  for 
the  maintenance-of-waY  men,  the  writer's  foresiiiht  was  not  so  fully 
deYelopc'd  as  to  disclose  all  "the  drawbacks  that  existed.  While  he 
mused  the  fire  burned,  and  finally  a  crude  draft  of  a  constitution  and 
by-laws  was  j)re])ared.  A  few  maintenance-of-way  men.  after  nmny 
an  uro-ent  solicitation,  assembled  in  Talladega.  Alabama,  and  there 
the  constitution  and  by-laws  were  adopted.  EYeiything  seemed  to  be 
in  fair  shape  to  proceed  with  the  work  when  the  enterprise  was  sud- 
denly paralyzed  by  the  most  trivial  causes — but  causes  which  were  at 
such  a  time  and  under  such  conditions  sufficient  to  scatter  the  little 
sentiment  that  had  been  created  in  favor  of  organization.  The  sad 
truth  is  that  almost  every  man  enrolled  in  the  beginning  was  either 
too  selfish  or  too  cowardly  to  withstand  the  strain  necessary  for  such 
an  undertaking.  A  few  rushed  in  heedlessly,  hojnug  to  create  for 
themselves  offices  of  honor  and  emolument;  others  joined  by  virtue  of 
influences  brought  to  bear  upon  them,  only  to  give  up  in  despair  when 
they  realized  what  sacrifices  they  would  have  to  make  in  order  to 
organize  and  maintain  a  brotherhood  of  maintenance-of-wav  men. 
Here  the  enterprise  seemed  to  die,  and,  so  far  as  its  visible  organiza- 
tion was  concerned,  it  was  dead  for  the  time  being.  However,  the 
spirit  had  been  born  to  live;  agitation  in  the  writer's  mind,  at  least, 
had  begun — the  kind  of  agitation,  too,  that  could  not  be  stilled. 

During  a  period  of  apparent  inactivity  the  writer  was  endeavoring 
to  create  the  proper  sentiment  among  the  maintenance-of-way  men 
and  learned  (what  since  has  been  a  valuable  lesson  to  him)  that  it 
is  impossible  to  run  an  organization  ahead  of  the  intelligence  and  de- 
mands of  those  in  whose  behalf  it  is  brought  about.  The  history  of 
this  country  from  the  days  of  its  discovery,  through  its  colonial  period, 
its  necessary  revolutions,  its  state  organizations,  its  articles  of  con- 
federation, and  its  wonderful  constitution,  shows  clearly  how  slowlv, 
but  surely,  the  agitation  which  grew  out  of  political  discontent  wid- 
ened into  i^olitical  liberty  and  freedom.  And  in  like  manner  will  the 
agitation  which  has  grown  out  of  industrial  discontent  finally  result 
in  industrial  freedom. 

Rut  the  time  arrived  when  the  work  was  again  to  be  taken  up. 
This  was  in  the  spring  of  1888.  Arrangements  were  made;  the  organi- 
zation was  formed  and  headquarters  established  at  Demopolis,  Ala., 
in  the  summer  of  that  year. 

The  writer  laid  aside  track  work  and  took  up  the  work  of  organiz- 
ing, tramping  thousands  of  miles  in  order  to  see  maintenance-of-way 
men  and  tell  tlKMU  the  story  of  his  undertaking.     This  was  a  slow  and 


152  THE  CALCIUM  LIGHT 

laborious  way  of  reaching  tliem,  but  bow  otlierwise  could  it  be  done? 
The  majority  of  the  niaintenance-of-wa}'  men  whom  he  came  in  contact 
with  could  readily  see  existing  conditions,  and  agreed  that  something- 
should  be  done  to  remedy  them;  but  it  was  a  difticult  undertaking  to 
cause  them  to  see  how  to  proceed,  and  to  feel  that  success  depended 
upon  their  efforts.  The  truth  is,  the  majority  of  them  required  time 
to  grow  up  to  the  issue.  Many  of  them  entertained  the  idea  that 
there  ^as  no  hope  for  them  and  accepted  their  places  as  a  matter  of 
fact  and  service.  Strange  as  it  may  seem,  the  external  opposition, 
ignorance,  and  indifference  were  not  all  that  had  to  be  confronted  and 
overcome.  The  Bible  says:  "A  man's  greatest  enemies  are  those  of 
his  own  household."  There  are  Judases  in  every  form  of  society 
known  to  man.  They  have  caused  us  many  disadvantages,  not  being 
able  at  all  times  to  steer  clear  of  them;  but  we  are  sailing  beyond 
their  force  and  influence  and  gaining  strength.  Look  at  the  trees  of 
the  forest!  Consider  their  age;  count  the  storms  they  have  passed 
through;  see  how  every  ox)position  has  tended  to  make  them  strong, 
and  the  observation  ought  to  be  significant. 

In  1889  the  writer  was  elected  president  of  the  organization,  and 
at  each  recurring  convention  has  been  called  to  fill  that  post  of  duty 
and  responsibility.  In  the  fall  of  1880  the  headquarters  were  removed 
from  Demopolis  to  Birmingham,  where  they  remained  until  1891.  On 
October  1.3,  14  and  15,  1891,  the  Order  of  Railway  Trackmen  was 
amalgamated  with  the  Brotherhood  of  Railway  Section  Foremen,  and 
headquarters  were  removed  to  St.  Louis,  Mo. 

T^'hat  have  been  our  achievements?  Have  they  equaled  all  that 
critics  and  onlookers  expected?  Have  tjiey  met  our  own  expecta- 
tions? If  they  have  not,  what  have  we  accomplished?  If  the  reader 
accurately'  contrasts  our  first  efforts  with  our  present  strength  he  can 
partially  answer  these  questions.  Has  the  Brotherhood  caused  every 
maintenance-of-way  man's  wage  to  be  increased  to  what  it  should  be? 
Has  it  obtained  equal  rights  for  all,  and  abolished  all  grounds  for 
dissatisfaction  between  laborer  and  capitalist?  Has  it  beautified  and 
enriched  the  homes  of  all  its  members,  educated  their  children  and 
provided  for  the  families  of  all  deceased  members?  Has  it  had  all 
bad  laws  repealed  and  trusts  and  corporations  turned  inside  out?  If 
you  answer  in  the  negative  then  there  is  need  for  your  help. 

Let  us  consider  a  few  of  the  important  things  we  have  accom- 
plished: The  Brotherhood  of  Railway  Trackmen  has  come  to  stay. 
This  is  more  than  our  opponents  expected.  We  have  clearly  demon- 
strated to  our  bitterest  antagonists  that  maintenance-of-way  men  can 
be  so  effectively  organized  as  to  become  a  part  of  the  world's  activity. 


Turned  On  by  a  Railway  Tkackman.  153 

Those  wii(»  have  been  etiniest  supporters  of  the  Ordei-  since  its  forma- 
tion know  what  stable  orj^anization  means.  They  know  what  efforts, 
anxiety,  and  sacrifices  the  few  faithful  have  undergone  during  these 
trying  vears  to  demonstrate  that  maintenance-of-wav  men  can  be 
formed  into  a  beneficial  organization.  AA'ith  throbbing  hearts  they 
have  gazed  intently  upon  our  "ship  of  state"  as  she  was  passing  the 
most  critical  period  of  her  journey.  Do  you  think  for  a  moment  that 
we  are  going  to  lay  down  our  organizing  armor?  We  are  equipped 
for  a  successful  journey,  and  success  will  surely  crown  our  efforts  if 
we  use  our  opportunities  aright. 

We  have  accomplished  much  educationally.  We  believe  that  our 
members  have  done  moi-e  to  inform  themselves  as  to  justice,  impartial 
laws,  the  sources  of  oppression,  the  means  by  which  to  remove  them, 
and  the  proper  relation  of  capital  and  labor  since  joining  our  Order 
than  they  had  ever  done  before.  Can  any  one  tell  where  this  educa- 
tional interest  will  stop?  Investigation  once  started  is  likely  to  con- 
tinue, gaining  more  power  and  force  as  it  brings  to  view  the  hidden 
truths.  Naturally,  too,  as  we  become  more  enlightened  and  better 
qualified  to  do  our  duties,  the  more  valuable  our  services  become,  and 
for  this  reason  we  can  justly  demand  better  pay.  You  ma^'  watch 
our  members  and  you  will  see,  as  time  goes  on  and  they  learn  more 
and  more  their  real  value  as  workmen,  they  will  demand  and  receive 
more  wages  than  they  could  reasonably  expect  without  such  a  course 
of  training.  So  we  can  congratulate  ourselves  upon  the  benefits  de- 
rived from  the  educational  wave  which  we  have  set  in  motion.  As 
it  widens  and  touches  the  members  of  our  craft  they  will  emerge  from 
their  present  lethargic  condition,  and  move  upwards  as  their  horizon 
of  intelligence  and  hope  widens.  This  is  work  that  should  thrill  our 
souls  with  joy — setting  ourselves  free  from  the  thraldom  of  ignorance 
and  placing  our  craftsmen  u]K)n  a  plane  where  they  can  see,  think 
and  act  for  themselves,  as  other  classes  of  employes  are  doing.  If 
you  take  a  pigeon  and  cut  out  its  brain,  it  will  act  foolishly,  and  its 
motions  will  be  at  random.  This,  to  my  mind,  is  a  very  pitiable  sight. 
But  how  much  more  pitiable  to  see  a  human  being  with  an  unde- 
veloped brain,  struggling  for  bread  and  butter,  unable  to  vie  with  his 
more  enlightened  brother.  Such  a  man  must  undergo  whatevei-  de- 
mands are  made  upon  him.  Did  you  ever  feel  so  heli)less  as  when  you 
had  something  given  you  to  do  and  did  not  know  how  to  do  it?  This 
places  one  at  the  disposal  of  those  who  are  better  qualified  to  do  such 
duties.  The  writer  would  like  to  emphasize  strongly  the  value 
maintenance-of-way  men  may  be  to  each  other  in  an  educational  way. 

As  to  the  achievements  of  the  Brotherhood  of  Railway  Trackmen 


154  THE  CAI.CIUM  LIGHT 

iu  aiding  the  needy  in  a  financial  way,  I  can  say  that,  while  the 
families  of  all  deceased  niaintenance-of-way  men  have  not  received 
financial  aid,  it  is  not  the  fault  of  our  Order.  I  am  happy  to  say  that 
the  beneficiaries  of  every  insured  member  who  died  in  good  standing 
have  received  the  amount  designated  in  his  certificate.  Have  any  of 
our  opponents  made  widows  and  orphans  happy  by  providing  for  their 
necessities?  If  not,  then  our  Order  has  surpassed  them.  Let  us  re- 
joice in  the  fact  that  we  can  show  a  favorable  record  along  this  line. 

When  vou  hear  of  the  death  of  a  true  and  noble  member  does  it 
not  afford  you  real  joy  to  give  your  assistance  toward  the  relief  of 
his  family,  knowing  that  the  only  protection  they  have  is  that  which 
the  Order  gives  them?  Do  you  not  experience  the  truth  of  the  Bibli- 
cal statement  that  "it  is  more  blessed  to  give  than  to  receive"? 

If  maintenance-of-way  men  desire  to  be  recognized,  respected,  and 
dealt  with  like  other  classes  of  employes,  and  to  command  respect 
from  the  w^orld  about  them,  they  have  but  to  unite  and  put  their 
organization  into  practical  operation.  Their  services  are  as  essential 
to  the  successful  operation  of  railways  as  are  the  services  of  any  other 
class  of  employes.  Our  membership  is  not  as  large  as  it  should  be, 
but  we  had  to  undergo  the  sifting  processes  that  try  the  stability  of 
an  organization.  The  sheep  and  the  goats  had  to  be  separated. 
There  are  always  false  advertisements  that  on  certain  days  certain 
goods  will  be  given  away,  and  a  great  many  people  expect  to  get  a 
great  deal  for  nothing,  or  that  something  will  turn  up  whereby  their 
wants  will  be  snp])lied  without  any  exertion  or  sacrifice  upon  their 
part.  There  is  always  an  element  following  for  fishes  and  loaves 
like  those  who  when  the  Saviour  thrust  the  pruning  hook  among  them 
said:  "This  is  a  hard  saying,  who  can  hear  it?"  and  many  of  His 
disciples  went  back  and  walked  no  more  with  Him.  Our  Saviour 
understood  their  whereabouts  and  He  also  knew  well  that  such 
material  must  be  sifted  out,  for  it  could  not  stand  the  test  necessary 
in  the  establishment  of  His  church.  The  foundation  material  of  any 
structure  ought  to  be  good;  if  bad  material,  from  any  cause  or  over- 
sight, is  used  in  its  foundation  it  is  just  so  much  weakness  and  is 
dangerous  in  proportion  to  the  amount  of  such  material  used.  It  is 
a  very  undesirable  scene  to  behold  a  nmgnificent  superstructure 
erected  upon  a  foundation  wholly  unstable.  Those  who  have  been 
earnest  and  faithful  workers  know  that  our  greatest  danger  has 
always  been  from  the  "tares  in  the  wheat.''  We  have  had  to  en- 
counter much  danger  on  account  of  unstable  material  in  our  structure. 
Our  present  membership  consists  largely  of  material  which  has  passed 
through  the  sifting  machine,  and  this  fact  warrants  us  in  believing 


Turned  On  by  a  Railway  Trackman.  155 

lliat  GUI'  coiidiliou  at  present  is  far  iDore  encouraging  that  it  lias 
ever  been  before. 

Finally,  what  are  our  prospects?  Have  we  any?  Having  passed 
some  of  the  most  dangerous  breakers  in  our  infancy;  having  passed 
an  army  of  complainers  and  fault-finders  from  within  and  without; 
having  struggled  through  the  most  trying  financial  crisis  our  nation 
has  ever  witnessed;  having  emerged  from  the  demoralizing  effects  of 
rival  organizations  and  withstood  the  crucial  test  of  the  winnowing 
of  our  membership,  what,  then,  may  we  not  accomplish  in  the  future? 
And  there  is  much  to  be  done.  Our  organization  needs  to  be  enlarged. 
The  combined  power,  influence,  and  brains  of  every  true  mainteuance- 
of-way  man  should  be  centralized  in  our  Order. 

Every  one,  perhaps,  has  read  the  lesson  in  the  school-boy's  reader 
of  "The  Bundle  of  Sticks."  An  old  man  who  had  live  sons  was  con- 
tenii)lating  the  probability  of  his  death  and,  after  collecting  a  bundle 
of  live  sticks,  he  called  his  sons  to  him  and  said:  "Boys,  you  see  a 
bundle  of  five  sticks;  the  one  of  you  who  will  break  that  bundle  I  will 
abundantly  reward."  Each  boy,  eager  to  win  the  prize,  tried  his  ut- 
most to  break  the  sticks,  but  no  one  could  do  it.  The  old  man  then 
untied  the  bundle  and  taking  one  stick  at  a  time  had  no  trouble  in 
breaking  the  entire  number.  "Ah!"  exclaimed  the  boys,  "it  is  easy 
enough  to  break  them  in  that  way;  taking  one  at  a  time  any  one  could 
do  it."  "This  bundle  of  sticks,"  said  the  old  man,  "represents  you 
five  brothers  standing  together.  So  long  as  you  are  thus  united  no 
force  can  overcome  you;  but  if  you  break  your  union  you  will  be  like 
the  sticks  you  see  lying  broken  and  powerless." 

And  so  with  us,  brethren.  In  union  there  is  hope.  If  a  man  has 
certain  convictions  and  operates  along  a  certain  line  to  bring  them 
into  effective  use  he  can  accomplish  much.  If  ten  thousand  men  of 
like  convictions  join  him  his  chances  of  success  are  multiplied  ten 
thousand  times.  Let  us  labor  for  a  perfect  union  of  all  the  good 
material  in  our  class,  never  regretting  the  sacrifices  and  struggles 
made  in  behalf  of  our  rights  and  for  the  cause  of  humanity  and 
justice. 

CHAPTER  XVIII. 

THE  NEED  OF  AN  AUXILIARY 

Agreeable  to  the  most  authentic  records  extant,  man  was  seen 
by  his  Creator  to  be  incomidete  as  a  monosex,  or  without  his  counter- 
part, which  rendered  mankind  bisexual.  In  other  words,  his  Creator 
adjudged  it  not  good  for  man,  masculine,  to  be  alone;  because  alone 
he  was  incomplete,  being  only  half  a  man,  and  the  rough,  coarse  half 


156  THE  CALCIUM  LIGHT 

al  that.  He  needed  not  a  supplement  but  a  complement — tliat  which 
would  round  up  his  otherwise  incomplete  character,  rendering  it 
symmetrical  and  giving  uniformity  to  all  its  parts.  Man,  masculine, 
was  essentially  coarse-grained,  rugged  and  uncouth; — hence  he  stood 
greatly  in  need  of  the  tender,  softening  and  refining  influences  which 
are  characteristic  of  the  opposite  sex.  The  one  being  incomplete 
without  the  other,  the  Creator  saw  the  necessity  for  a  double  stand- 
ard, so  to  speak — the  one  to  complement  the  other  by  bringing  into 
play  those  traits  of  character  which  are  essential  to  the  happiness 
of  the  complete  man,  but  which  could  not  be  possessed  in  their  en- 
tierty  by  either  half. 

Man  needed  a  helpmeet — not  a  slave  or  servant  to  go  and  come 
at  his  bidding,  nor  yet  a  mistress  to  be  dressed  up  merely  as  an  orna- 
ment, but  a  helpmeet,  because  in  his  incompleteness  he  would  stand 
greatly  in  need  of  help.  Who  that  has  ever  entered  the  apartments 
of  the  recluse,  or  the  bachelor,  but  has  noted  chaos,  the  lack  of  order, 
the  unhomelike  appearance?  Now  let  the  hand  feminine  come  in, 
touch  up  this  and  adjust  that,  and,  lol  what  a  transformation!  Some 
one  has  said,  "The  hand  that  rocks  the  cradle,  is  the  hand  that  rules 
the  world."  Be  that  as  it  may,  the  fact  remains  that  the  influence 
of  the  so-called  weaker  sex  over  her  coarser  complement  is  very  far- 
reaching,  and  can  be  greatly  augmented  at  her  own  will;  nor  does  this 
influence  depend  for  its  potency  upon  its  quality,  whether  good  or 
bad,  but  is  alike  operative  in  the  cause  of  right  or  wrong. 

'Twas  woman's  influence  that  took  the  head  from  the  shoulders 
of  John  the  Baptist,  and  her  influence  was  alike  potent  at  the  court 
of  Ahasuerus  to  save  the  lives  of  thousands  of  her  countrymen  who 
had  been  set  upon  by  their  enemies.  Her  influence  has  urged  alike 
the  soldier  and  sailor  on  to  deeds  of  heroism.  It  is  often  like  the 
wind,  felt  very  perceptibly  without  being  seen.  We  believe  there 
has  been  no  achievement  in  the  world's  history  worthy  of  being  re- 
corded but  was  largely  the  result  of  woman's  influence.  How  essen- 
tial, then,  that  her  influence  be  on  the  right  side — on  the  side  of  God 
against  greed;  on  the  side  of  human  happiness  against  human  misery; 
on  the  side  of  the  oppressed  against  the  oppressor;  on  the  side  of  the 
weak  against  the  strong.  We  believe  that  naturally  she  is  her 
brother's  superior  in  all  that  tends  toward  the  making  up  of  a  pure 
and  lovely  character,  and  hence  needs  only  right  training  to  place  her 
always  on  the  side  of  right;  that  she  only  needs  to  have  the  right 
.pointed  out  to  her  to  insure  a  speedy  advocacy  of  its  claims. 

As  stated  above,  she  was  given  to  man  to  be  a  helpmeet.  Help! 
help! I  help!!!  is  the  cry  that  conies  up  from  earth's  four  corners. 


Turned  On  by  a  Railway  Trackman.  157 

Help  against  tyranny  and  ojjpivssion;  help  to  enable  fathers,  brothers 
and  sons  to  throw  off  the  yoke  of  bondaj;e  and  assert  their  rights  as 
freemen  to  have  a  hand  in  tixin.u  the  rate  at  which  they  must  labor. 
Help  for  the  wives,  sisters  and  dauj^hters  that  they  may  have  homes 
fit  for  civilized  people  to  live  in,  and  help  for  the  little  boys  and  girls 
that  they  may  get  that  which  is  their  due,  that  which  society  owes 
them,  viz:  a  decent  living,  proper  clothing,  healthful  food,  and  an 
education  that  will  cause  them  to  hate  slavery  in  any  form.  All  this 
can  woman  help  to  do.  All  this  she  must  help  to  do  if  she  is  to  fulfill 
her  sacred  mission.  Oh,  woman!  (ireat  are  thy  opportunities,  and 
equally  great  is  thy  responsibility. 

Sister,  we  need  your  helj).  We  of  the  maintenance-of-way  depart- 
ment, who  scarcely  ever  see  our  families  in  daylight,  need  your  help. 
Do  not  say  that  you  are  powerless  to  help  us.  Were  your  husband 
to  break  his  leg  while  away  from  home,  with  no  one  to  help  him  but 
you,  doubtless  you  could  not  carry  him  yourself;  but  you  could  run 
for  your  neighbor,  and  what  you  could  not  do  alone  the  two  of  you 
together  could  easily  accomplish.  Thus  it  is  with  reference  to  the  help 
we  need.  Your  individual  power  will  be  of  little  avail,  but  go  to  your 
sister  and  tell  her  of  the  trouble  and  of  the  need  of  help;  show  her 
that  the  need  is  urgent;  arouse  her  sympathies,  and  you  will  be  sure 
of  her  co-operation.  You  are  aware  that  your  husband,  your  father, 
or  your  brother  is  not  being  properly  remunerated  for  his  services; 
that  his  pay  is  not  commensurate  with  his  responsibilities.  You  are 
aware  also,  that  your  own  hardships  are  much  greater  and  your  home 
comforts  far  less  than  those  of  the  people  who  live  by  clipping 
coupons  from  bonds,  made  valuable  by  your  husband's  labor.  You 
also  know  that  under  existing  conditions  it  is  impossible  for  you  to 
give  your  children  one-half  of  the  comforts  (to  say  nothing  of  luxuries) 
that  are  necessary  to  their  well-being  and  proper  development,  or  to 
which  they  are  justly  entitled  by  virtue  of  the  duties  faithfully  per- 
formed bv  vourself  and  husband;  and  do  vou  not  know  that  unless 
you  give  to  them  better  educational  advantages  than  you  are  now 
able  to  give  them  they  can  only  be  "hewers  of  wood  and  drawers  of 
water"  for  those  in  better  circumstances,  simply  servants  with  ever- 
increasing  burdens  and  ever-decreasing  opportunities?  Surely  you 
are  not  one  of  those  simpletons  who  sometimes  say,  "Oh,  well,  I  am 
giving  my"  children  as  good  an  education  as  I  had.  I  always  had  to 
work  and  have  gotten  along  very  well,  considering,  and  they  are  no 
better  than  I  am." 

Tn  nature's  laws  degeneration  begins  when   activity  ends.     In- 
ertia   means    stagnation,    and    stagnation    means    death.     We    must 


158  THE  CALCIUM  LIGHT 

either  go  forward  or  backward;  we  must  climb  higher  or  we  will  sink 
lower.  Our  children  must  do  better  than  we  have  done  or,  ten 
chances  to  one,  they  will  do  worse.  Besides,  conditions  are  not  what 
thev  were  when  we  were  children.  It  requires  no  prophetic  ken  to 
foresee  the  time  when,  with  a  continuation  of  the,  present  regime, 
three-fourths  of  the  earth's  inhabitants  will  simply  be  servants  to  the 
other  one-fourth,  unless  we  educate  and  continually  impress  upon 
the  mind  of  the  rising  generation  a  sense  of  its  opportunities  and  re- 
sponsibilities. One  of  the  laws  of  the  ancients  was,  "And  it  shall 
come  to  pass  that  when  your  children  shall  ask,  'What  meaneth  this?' 
you  shall  say,  'Thus  and  thus  was  the  case  years  ago,'  "  and  this  is 
intended  as  a  reminder  of  those  troublous  times,  so  that  we  may 
guard  against  them. 

Sister,  we  indulge  this  apparent  digression  because  we  not  only 
need  your  earnest  and  undivided  help,  but  your  constant  and  con- 
tinual co-operation,  inasmuch  as  this  organization,  known  as  the 
B.  R.  T.  of  A.,  is  not  intended  as  a  temporary  makeshift  to  meet  a 
present  need,  but  a  permanent  institution,  and  largely  one  of  pros- 
pective utility  or  benefit  to  the  next  generation.  Hence  this  appeal 
to  your  maternal  instinct,  knowing  that  any  woman  of  ordinary  in- 
telligence can  readily  see  that  she  owes  her  husband  all  of  the  assist- 
ance in  her  power  to  give  as  he  strives  to  better  his  condition, 
especially  since  her  own  welfare  and  that  of  her  children  are  depend- 
ent upon  his  success,  and  is  largely  the  end  which  he  is  seeking. 

Did  I  hear  you  say,  "I  encouraged  him  to  join  the  Order,  I  try  to 
encourage  him  to  pay  his  dues,  etc.,  and  that  is  all  I  can  do."?  Well, 
that  is  very  good  as  far  as  it  goes,  but  is  that  really  all  you  can  do? 
All  of  the  older  orders  have  help  in  the  shape  of  woman's  auxiliaries, 
which  it  is  admitted  have  been  and  are  of  incalculable  benefit  to  the 
parent  organization,  and  why  cannot  we  expect  as  much  help  from 
our  wives,  sisters  and  daughters  as  members  of  other  orders  receive? 
Are  not  our  duties  as  irksome,  our  responsibilities  as  constant,  and 
our  hardships  as  great?  Are  our  positions  so  secure,  so  comfortable, 
and  our  salaries  so  munificent  as  to  place  us  beyond  the  pale  of  S3'm- 
pathy  from  those  nearest  and  dearest  to  us,  .whose  every  interest  is 
wrapped  uj)  in  and  identical  with  our  own,  and  whose  food  and  cloth- 
ing depends  largely,  if  not  wholly,  upon  the  wages  we  get?  Nay,  nay. 
The  mention  of  it  is  but  the  denial.  We  know  that  there  is  neither 
lack  of  sympathy  nor  lack  of  interest  in  our  efforts  to  better  the  con- 
dition of  ourselves  and  those  dependent  upon  us,  but  simply  lack  of 
opportunity.  That  has  been  the  case  in  the  past.  A  realization  of 
the  need,  together  with  a  knowledge  of  the  "wavs  and  means."  forms 


Turned  On  by  a  Railway  Trackman.  159 

the  opportunity.  This  has  boen  hickiK«;-  in  tlie  past,  but  it  now  appears 
to  be  fully  felt  and  understood  by  quite  a  number  of  the  sisters. 

The  objection  may  be  raised  that  ''we  have  not  the  same  facilities 
for  traveling  that  others  have,  and  hence  cannot  pet  together  so 
easily."  True,  sister;  yet  that  fact  only  intensifies  the  need  for  your 
assistance  in  this  movement.  Are  we  not  entitled  to  as  many  privi- 
leges as  are  enjoyed  by  members  of  other  crafts?  Are  not  the  wives 
and  families  of  maintenance-of-way  employes  entitled  to  as  much  con- 
sideration from  their  (Muployers  as  are  others?  How,  then,  are  we  to 
command  or  secure  this  recognition  but  bv  united  effort?  In  other 
words,  how  did  the  other  crafts  secure  it?  Simply  by  combining  the 
strength  and  influence  of  both  brothers  and  sisters  into  one  solid 
whole,  the  woman's  auxiliary  being  supplemental,  while  each  branch 
of  the  organization  freely  gives  to  or  accepts  aid  from  the  other. 

Let  all  of  the  sisters  unite  in  this  auxiliary  movement,  putting 
their  heads  together,  their  hearts  together  and  their  hands  united 
in  one  unbroken  line,  and  it  cannot  be  long  ere  we  are  accorded  the 
privilege  of  once  in  a  while  getting  out  of  the  county  in  which  we  were 
born  and  seeing  what  the  balance  of  the  world  looks  like. 

Our  brothers  and  sisters  of  other  crafts  not  only  receive  greater 
remuneration  for  services  rendered,  but,  in  addition  to  seeing  and  en- 
joying more  of  the  world  and  more  of  society  while  on  duty,  they  are 
granted  leave-of-absence  and  transportation  over  other  lines  and  into 
other  states — things  which  we  of  the  mainteuance-of-way  department 
are  scarcely  allowed  to  think  of.  Let  us  not  envy  them  these  privi- 
leges, but  let  us  emulate  the  manliness  and  womanliness  which  en- 
abled them  to  secure  this  recognition — a  recognition  which  has  been 
gained  step  by  step  through  years  of  self-sacrificing  devotion  to  the 
cause  of  their  union,  every  inch  of  ground  being  stubbornly  contested 
by  their  employers.  Now  they  are  enjoying  privileges  that  should  be 
within  the  reach  of  all  honest  working  people,  and  especially  the 
men  who  make  it  possible  for  others  to  enjoy  them.  aIz:  the  privilege 
of  seeing  something  more  of  the  world  than  the  little  hamlet  in  which 
they  were  born. 

Imagine  the  average  trackman  enjoying  a  theater!  And  why  not? 
Do  we  not  build  and  maintain  the  tracks,  bridges  and  trestles  over 
which  theatrical  troupes  must  ride  in  order  that  our  neighbors  may 
enjoy  their  productions?  and  must  our  own  wives  and  children  be 
denied  the  privilege  of  occasionally  seeing  something  of  life?  Are 
our  services  of  so  little  consequence  to  our  employers  and  to  the  pub- 
lic as  to  justify  the  keeping  of  our  families  from  year  to  year,  from 
the  cradle  to  the  grave,  in  ignorance  and  obscurity? 


160  THE  CAI.CIUM  LIGHT 

Sisters,  wives,  daughters!  Waive  np  and  help  us  to  plant  our 
banner  firmly  upon  the  basic  principle  of  equal  rights,  maintaining 
that  position  by  faithful  service  to  our  employers  and  to  each  other, 
acting  as  one  united  band  of  brothers  and  sisters  whose  aims  are  one 
and  whose  desires  are  for  the  good  of  all;  thus  cementing  the  bond 
of  love  and  sympathy,  and  acting  continuously  in  harmony,  we  may 
rest  assured  that  "neither  pi'incipalities  nor  powers,  things  present 
nor  things  to  come,  nor  height  nor  depth"  shall  be  able  to  keep  us  out 
of  the  rights  and  privileges  to  which  we  are  justly  entitled,  being 
enabled  by  the  exercise  of  increased  privileges  to  enjoy  new  vistas 
of  knowledge  and  beauty  which  will  open  up  before  us,  which  will 
serve  to  enlarge  the  scope  of  our  mental  vision,  thus  enabling  us  to  so 
impress  the  public  with  the  fact  that  we  are  a  necessary  part  of  the 
industrial  system  to  which  all  are  indebted  that  the  respect  which  is 
due  us  cannot  longer  be  withheld.  We  want  a  more  equitable  share 
of  the  products  of  our  toil — first,  because  our  responsibilities  and  the 
exposure  and  hardships  to  which  we  are  subjected  entitle  us  to  it, 
and  second,  because  it  will  enable  us  to  render  our  wives  and  children 
more  comfortable  at  present  and  to  provide  for  their  future  well- 
being.  This  we  can  soon  realize,  sisters,  if  you,  one  and  all,  will  take 
hold  of  this  auxiliary  movement,  putting  into  it  all  the  vim  and  vigor 
at  your  command,  and  thus  showing  your  full  appreciation  of  the 
efforts  of  your  husbands  and  brothers  and  stimulating  them  to  greater 
achievements  in  your  behalf. 

No  such  word  as  fail  should  for  a  moment  find  a  place  in  our 
vocabulary.  We  ought,  we  can,  we  must  succeed,  or  remain  the  butt 
of  ridicule  of  all  other  classes  in  the  railway  service.  Adopting  the 
motto  of  one  of  the  States,  "Labor  omnia  vincit,"  let  us  remember  that 
Labor  conquers  all  things  and 

"Work  for  the  night  is  coming. 

Worlj  through  the  sunny  noon; 
Fill  brightest  hours  with  U^bor, 

Rest  comes  sure  and  soon.  ; 

(jive  every  flying  minute 

Something  to  Iveep  in  store; 
Work  for  the  night  is  coming 

When  man  works  no  more." 


Turned  On  by  a  Railway  Trackman.  161 

CHAPTER  XIX. 
AKBITRATION   RECOMMENDED. 

In  1898  an  "industrial  commission"  was  created  by  act  of  Con- 
gress, the  duties  of  said  commission  being  "to  investigate  questions 
pertaining  to  immigration,  to  labor,  to  agriculture,  to  manufacturing 
and  to  business,  and  to  report  to  congress  and  to  suggest  such  legis- 
lation as  it  deemed  best  upon  these  subjects."  In  its  efforts  to  col- 
lect such  data  as  would  enable  it  "to  suggest  such  laws  as  might 
be  made  a  basis  for  uniform  legislation  bv  the  various  states  of  the 
Union,  in  orders  to  harmonize  conflicting  interests  and  to  be  equit- 
able to  the  laborer,  the  employer,  the  producer  and  the  consumer," 
the  commission  summoned  representatives  of  the  various  interests 
that  would  be  affected  by  its  recommendations  and  consequent  legis- 
lation, to  appear  before  it  and  state  in  detail  the  conditions  of  the 
interests  they  represented,  and  what  legislation,  in  the  judgment  of 
each  person  thus  summoned,  seemed  most  needful  to  the  welfare  of 
his  class.  In  response  to  a  summons  from  the  commission,  the 
writer  appeared  before  it  on  March  1,  1899,  and  delivered  the  fol- 
lowing address: 

Gentlemen: — In  obedience  to  your  request  for  me  to  assist  your  honorable 
body  in  its  efforts  to  obtain  information  which  will  enable  it  to  recommend 
the  enactment  of  laws  to  meet  the  problems  presented  by  labor,  agricv.lture 
and  capital,  as  I  represent  an  organization  composed  of  a  class  of  men  em- 
ployed in  transportation,  known  as  the  maiuteuance-of-way  department  em- 
_ployes.  and  employed  by  railway  companies  engaged  in  interstate  commerce, 
it  is  for  that  class  of  men  I  spealc  authoritatively.  As  I  understand,  your 
desire  is  to  discover  the  actual  conditions  of  the  industi'ial  workers  of  the* 
country  and  to  discover  causes  for  suffering.  I  Avill  explain  the  present  con- 
dition of  maintenance-of-way  department  employes  and  relate  some  of  the 
causes  which  I  believe  aid  in  producing  present  industrial  conditions.  There 
are  in  the  United  States  about  180.000  miles  of  railway,  and  according  to  the 
last  report  of  the  Interstate  Commerce  Commission,  aliout  180.000  men  are 
employed  in  the  maintenance-of-waj-  department.  This  vast  army  of  industrial 
workers  is  divided  into  three  classes. 

First.  The  class  known  as  roadmasters  numbers  about  2,000,  each  having 
from  100  to  250  miles  of  trade  under  his  .iiu'isdiction.  Their  divisions  are  cut 
into  subdivisions,  called  sections.  The  sections  are  from  five  to  ten  miles  in 
length.  On  each  section  is  employed  a  foreman.  He  has  a  few  assistants  or 
laborers,  known  as  section  hands.  Roadmasters  receive  instructions  from  and 
make  reports  to  division  superintendents.  They  (the  roadmasters)  are  fairly 
well  paid,  the  minimum  wage  being  about  $60  a  montli  and  the  maximum 
about  $150  per  mouth.  The  ma.iority  of  the  roadmasters  seem  to  be  in  sympathy 
with  the  men  under  them,  but  they  are  not  permitted  to  have  anything  to  say 
about  the  terms  of  employment,  the  rate  of  wages  the  men  under  them  shall 
receive,   the  number  of  hours   the^v   will   be   required  to    work  each   day.   etc., 


162  THE  CALCIUM  LIGHT 

these  matters  being  determined  by  higher  authority,  and  on  almost  every  Uirge 
system  of  railway,  some  one  is  put  in  charge  of  a  division  in  the  capacity  of 
roadmaster  who  is  ambitious  to  excel  all  other  roadmasters  on  the  system, 
and  in  order  to  have  it  said  that  he  is  the  best  roadmaster  on  the  system  he 
becomes  a  very  hard  master,  drives  the  men  under  him  from  daylight  till  dark 
and  maintains  his  division  at  a  minimum  cost.  As  the  higher  officials  are  on 
the  lookout  for  men  who  can  produce  tlie  greatest  results  at  the  least  cost, 
he  becomes  a  favorite  aud  is  held  up  as  an  example  for  all  other  roadmasters 
on  the  system  to  follow.  The  most  of  them  are  poor  men  and  are  anxious  to 
hold  their  positions,  therefore,  they  feel  compelled  to  be  exacting  and  to  work 
the  men  under  them  to  their  full  capacity  from  morning  till  night. 

Second.  The  men  in  charge  of  subdivisions,  known  as  section  foremen, 
receive  instructions  from  and  report  to  the  roadmasters.  They  number  about 
30,000.  They  are  personally  responsible  for  the  condition  of  the  ti-ack  under 
their  jurisdiction,  at  all  times,  and  are,  in  my  judgment,  the  most  important 
class  of  men  engaged  in  operating  railroads. 

These  men  are  recjuired  to  work  several  years  as  laborers  on  track  iu 
order  to  learn  enough  about  conti'olling  men,  repairing  and  maintaining  track 
to  be  qualified  to  assume  the  responsibilities  of  a  track  foreman.  The  lives  of 
the  traveling  public  and  the  safety  of  commercial  traffic  are  in  their  hands; 
they  have  more  to  do  aud  more  to  look  after  to  keep  the  track  in  a  safe  running 
condition  than  any  other  railway  employe.  Tracli  out  of  line,  surface,  or 
gauge,  not  properly  tied  and  spiked,  a  guard  rail  out  of  place,  or  a  mismatched 
joint,  and  many  other  little  things  that  must  receive  their  attention  each  day, 
if  neglected,  would  result  in  wrecking  trains  and  destroying  life  and  property. 
But  few  accidents  on  railroads  can  be  traced  to  the  negligence  or  carelessness 
of  these  men;  they  are  always  at  their  posts  of  duty,  without  regard  to  hot  or 
cold  weather.  At  nights,  during  storms  and  heavy  rains,  track  foremen 
promptly  leave  their  beds  and  patrol  the  tracks  to  see  that  all  is  safe  for  the 
passage  of  trains,  and  if  the  track  has  been  obstructed  by  washouts  or  other 
causes  it  is  usually  discovered,  and  red  lights,  or  other  danger  signals,  are 
displayed  at  proper  distances  away  from  the  place  of  danger,  signalling 
engineers  in  charge  of  engines  pulling  approaching  trains  to  stop  and  ^ivoid 
danger.  They  ai-e  paid  by  the  month  and  are  supposed  to  be  on  duty  at  all 
times.  If  they  worlc  every  Sunday  during  the  month  and  a  dozen  nights  they 
receive  no  extra  pay  for  extra  service;  their  wages  amount  to  from  $1.05  to 
$2.00  per  day,  according  to  locality,  cost  of  living,  etc. 

Third.  The  laborers,  who  assist  track  foremen,  known  as  track  hands, 
are  subject  to  the  foremen's  orders.  The  foremen  usually  hire  and  dismiss  them, 
to  suit  their  own  convenience.  According  to  the  report  of  the  Interstate  Com- 
merce Commission,  they  number  about  150,000,  but  I  do  not  think  that  more 
than  half  that  number  are  employed  during  the  winter  months.  It  is  customary 
for  the  companies  to  employ  several  men  on  each  section  during  the  summer 
months  to  assist  in  putting  the  track  in  good  condition  while  the  weather  is 
good,  the  days  are  long,  and  at  the  proper  time  to  repair  the  roadbed,  and 
discharge  them  in  the  fall.  Many  of  the  foremen  are  allowed  only  one  or  two 
assistants  during  the  winter  months,  and  in  some  instances  they  are  required 
to  lose  several  days  each  month,  and  the  foremen  are  required  to  walk  over 
their  tracks  alone.  The  track  laborers  are  usually  paid  by  the  day;  they 
receiv'e  from  471/30  to  $1.2.5  a  day.  according  to  locality,  cost  of  living,  etc. 
Think  of  it!.    More  than  50.000  men  work  for  the  railway  companies  for  from 


Turned  On  by  a  Railway  Trackman.  163 

4TV2C  to  tl.25  a  day  during  six  niuiiTli.s  in  the  yt-ar,  receivius  barely  enough  to 
subsist  upon  during  the  time  of  euipU)ymeut,  and  in  thei  fall  of  the  yeai\  when 
living  is  high  and  employment  is  hard  to  obtain,  they  are  turned  out  to  beg, 
tramp,  starve  or  steal,  and  become  criminals. 

I  do  not  doubt  that  your  honorable  body  will  have  men  before  it  who  enjoy 
nil  the  necessaries  of  life,  and  many  of  the  luxuries,  and  they  will  tell  you 
things  are  all  right  as  they  are.  and  that  the  men  in  whoso,  behalf  I  am  speak- 
ing are  dagoes.  Hungarians.  Polanders.  negroes,  Mexicans  and  Chinese,  but, 
in  my  opinion.  90  per  cent  of  these  men  ai"e  American  citizens;  they  go  to  our 
polling  places  and  vote,  though  I  do  not  contend  that  they  vote  intelligently; 
btat  under  improved  conditions  and  more  fa  voidable  circumstances  many  of. 
them  will  become  intelligent  and  useful  citizens  and  add  to  our  national 
strength. 

Having  related  prevailing  conditions  among  the  men  I  speak  for.  as  viewed 
from  my  standpoint.  I  will  endeavor  to  explain  what  I  believe  to  be  some  of 
the  cause*;  of  the  present  undesirable  state  of  attiairs. 

Under  our  unrestricted  competitive  system  almost  every  oppressor  imagines 
he  is  being  oppressed,  and  to  some  extent  it  is  true,  but  the  stronger  members 
■of  society  prosper  under  it,  become  rich  and  ]>owerful,-  while  the  weaker  ones 
are  crushed,  redticed  to  indtistrial  slavery  and  al)ject  po\erty.  The  men  who 
shape  and  determine  the  policies  to  be  maintained  by  the  different  railway 
companies  do  not.  it  seems,  understand  the  ptiblic.  and  the  public  does  not 
understand  theau.  Those  who  have  invested  their  money  in  railway  enterprises 
have  done  a  great  deal  towards  developing  our  cotmtry  and  advancing  civiliza- 
tion, but  without  the  aid  and  co-operation  of  the  public  our  vast  railway 
systems  would  be  worthless  to  their  owners;  therefore,  railway  companies, 
their  employes,  and  the  public  should  be  on  the  best  of  terms  at  all  times. 
Transportation  companies  should  not  l3e  allowed  to  discriminate  against  small 
shippers  in  favor  of  large  ones;  they  should  not  be  permitted  to  give  millions 
of  dollars'  worth  of  transix»rtatiou  each  year  to  men  of  political  influence,  who 
are  able  to  pay  their  fares,  and  expect  in  return  for  it  legislation  favorable  to 
their  interests,  at  the  expense  of  the  public.  Such  things  arouse  suspicion  in 
the  mind  of  the  public,  create  prejudice  and  are  injurious  to  both.  Rate  wars 
between  transiM>rtation  companies  should  be  abolished.  A  large  percentage  of 
their  gross  earnings,  amounting  to  millions  of  dollars  each  year,  is  wasted  in 
useless  competition  for  business.  I  have  heard  men  engaged  in  the  ticket 
brokerage  business  say  that  general  passenger  and  ticket  agents  cannot  be 
relied  upon  to  carry  out  agreements  after  entering  into  them.  It  is  not  an 
uncommon  thing  for  them  to  meet  and  agree  to  maintain  certain  rates  over 
certain  competing  lines  to  given  points,  and  in  less  than  three  days  some  or 
all  of  them  would  send  agents  who  would  offer  to  supply  the  brokers  with 
tickets  for  less  than  the  rate  agreed  upon.  I  can  nearly  always  buy  a  railroad 
ticket  cheai>er  from  a  ticket  broker  than  I  can  obtain  it  from  a  company's 
regular  ticket  agent. 

If  the  earnings  of  a  road  expended  in  this  way  were  equally  distributed 
among  the  employes  it  would  enable  them  to  supply  themselves  and  families 
with  the  necessary  comforts  of  life  and  abolish  the  cause  for  complaints  on 
account  of  overwork  and  underpay. 

In  my  judgment  the  system  under  which  the  railways  are  operated  at 
present  is  having  a  demoralizing  influence  upon  the  public.  Were  it  possible 
to  maintain   present   rates,   under  judicious   management   the   earnings   would 


164  THE  CAI.CIUM  LIGHT 

furnisb  sufficient  reveune  with  which  to  pay  all  employes  living  wages  without 
reciuiriuc:  any  of  them  to  work  an  unreasonable  number  of  hours  in  any  one 
day.  and  leave  plenty  of  surplus  with  which  to  pay  investors  a  reasonable 
profit  on  the  money  invested.  As  railway  companies  hold  valuable  franchises 
by  consent  of  the  public,  and  they  are  semi-public  entei'prises.  I  have  no 
hesitancy  in  saying  it  would  be  a  blessing  to  all  concerne<l  if  congi-ess  would 
enact  laws  creating  and  authorizing  commissions  to  harmonize  conflicting 
interests.  lender  the  present  system  employes  having  just  grievances  in  many 
instances  are  afraid  to  make  complaints  or  to  unite  with  their  fellow-Morkmen 
for  the  purpose  of  presenting  their  grievances  in  a  proper  manner.  If  there 
existed  a  commission  before  which  all  classes  of  employes,  from  the  president 
who  presides  at  the  meetings  of  the  boards  of  directors  to  the  humble  trackman,, 
who  drives  the  spikes  and  tamps  the  ties,  could  appear  and  present  their  griev- 
ances without  fear  of  being  discharged,  a  better  understanding  could  be  arrived 
at.  and  a  more  just  and  equitable  system  could  be  adopted  and  put  into  practical 
operation. 

As  I  understand,  your  commission  has  been  created  by  congress  to  act 
as  a  mediator  between  the  industrial  workers  and  congress,  and  as  I  desire  to 
aid  you  in  your  laudible  undertaking  to  the  extent  of  my  ability,  in  my  humble 
way.  I  will  refer  briefly  to  what  I  consider  general  causes  that  produce  idleness 
and  suffering  among  the  toilers  and  wealth-producers  of  the  nation. 

It  should  be  understood  that  wage-earners  are  not  business  men;  they 
ai'e  callable  of  producing  wealth,  but  depend  uix)n  others  to  provide  ways  and 
means.  A  demand  for  their  labor  must  be  created  by  the  men  who  own  the 
means  of  production  and  have  possession  of  the  things  created  by  labor. 
Notwithstanding  the  majority  of  the  recraits  of  the  United  States  army  were 
di'awn  from  the  army  of  unemployed,  many  of  our  citizens  are  in  destitute 
circumstances  and  cannot  find  employment:  they  cannot  sell  their  labor  at 
any  price.  Such  a  condition  is  deplorable;  it  degenerates  the  citizen,  causes 
him  to  become  a  beggar,  if  not  a  criminal;  degrades  our  government  and 
weakens  our  national  strength.  Industrial  panics,  such  as  we  have  recently 
passed  through,  not  only  cause  wage-earners  to  suffer,  they  effect  those,  j^'ho 
have  possession  of  the  wealth  created  by  labor;  they  found  no  market  for  the 
surplus  products  in  their  possession  because  the  wealth-producers,  who  should 
be  the  greatest  consumers,  were  deprived  of  an  opportunity  to  work  and  to 
earn  sufficient  wages  to  keep  their  consuming  capacities  anything  like  equal 
to  their  producing  capacities.  The  natural  result  was  commercial  stagnation 
and  industrial  panic,  which  cannot  be  traced  to  any  natural  cause.  The  causes 
were  superficial — over-production  by  some,  under-consumption  by  others,  and 
blind,  selfish  greed  in  other.^.  who  imagined  that  instead  of  creating  wealth, 
to  be  iised  by  all,  it  should  be  created  for  gain  for  a  small  per  cent  of  our 
citizens. 

The  change  of  conditions  demand  a  change  in  methods.  The  young  man 
in  the  East,  who  has  been  crushed  to  the  wall  by  competition,  cannot  do  as 
the  young  man  of  a  half  centuiT  ago  did.  "<;o  West,  and  grow  up  with  the 
country."  Competition  is  as  keen  in  the  West  as  it  is  in  the  East;  the  land 
that  was  public  a  few  years  ago  is  settlements  and  cities  to-day;  our  railways 
have  been  constructed,  our  cities  have  been  built;  machines,  that  enable  our 
workman  to  produce  as  much  as  was  produced  by  ten  a  few  years  ago.  have 
been  invented  and  are  in  practical  operation.  "The  burden  of  public  taxes 
upon  the  shoulders  of  labor   (labor  creates  all  wealth  and  pays  all  taxes)   is. 


Turned  On  by  a  Railway  Trackman.  165 

increasing."  The  weakest  members  of  society  are  found  among  the  wealth- 
producing  classes. 

I  ask  the  questions:  Will  our  national  representatives  protect  us  against 
blind,  heartless  and  soulless  capitalism?  Will  they  be  statesmen,  protectors  of 
equal  rights  and  saviors  of  our  country  by  seeing  to  it  that  we  are  allowed  to 
enjoy  the  things  we  need  and  are  willing  to  work  for  in  a  country  we  have 
helped  to  develop,  or  will  they  serve  the  class  that  wants  more  than  they  have 
any  use  for?  In  my  judgment,  the  questions  your  honorable  commission  is 
being  called  uix)n  to  help  solve  are  complex.  It  is  hoi>ed  your  time  and  energy 
will  not  be  consumed  in  theorizing,  but  that  your  investigations  will  enable 
you  to  see  things  as  they  are.  for  you  have  conditions  to  deal  with  that  should 
and  must  be  changed  in  order  to  preserve  the  rights  of  our  people  and  prevent 
the  greatest  nation  on  earth  from  retrograding. 

Again  referring  to  the  men  I  represent  and  am  authorized  to  speak  for, 
I  will  state  that  there  are  about  200,000  carmen  and  shopmen  employed  by 
the  railway  transportation  companies  whose  conditions  are  but  very  little,  if 
«ny,  better  than  the  conditions  surrounding  the  men  employed  in  the  main- 
tenance-of-way  depai'tment.  The  trackmen,  carmen  and  shopmen  iind  their 
families  are  far  greater  in  number  than  the  entire  population  of  the  Island  of 
■Cuba.  Our  government  has  expendetl  many  millions  of  dollars  and  sacrificed 
the  lives  of  many  of  our  citizens  to  aid  the  Cubans  in  their  struggle  to  improve 
their  condition,  and  I  say,  unhesitatingly,  that  before  hostilities  began  on  the 
Island  of  Cuba  the  citizens  of  that  Island,  upon  the  whole,  were  in  no  worse 
•condition  than  are  the  men  for  whom  I  speak  and  who  are  citizens  of  the 
United  States. 

It  is  a  matter  of  regret  that  the  commission  after  ample  investi- 
gation, was  unable  to  present  any  specific  recommendations  for  prac- 
tical and  beneficial  legislation  upon  the  questions  for  the  considera- 
tion of  which  it  had  been  created.  There  was  one  matter,  however, 
f)n  which  the  members  of  the  commission  were  all  agreed,  namely,  that 
some  definite  plan  of  arbitration  should  be  adopted  for  the  settle- 
ment of  disputes  between  employers  and  employes  before  they  reach 
the  acute  stage  wherein  lives  and  property,  not  only  of  the  disput- 
ants, but  of  the  innocent  public,  are  jeopardized.  Several  state  legis- 
latures have  since  created  boards  of  arbitration  with  well-defined 
duties  and  powers,  in  the  hope  of  reducing  to  a  minimum  the  financial 
losses,  the  ill-feelings,  and  general  inconveniences  which  always  ac- 
company industrial  disputes  when  they  develop  into  strikes.  In 
New  Zealand,  where  arbitration  is  compulsory,  strikes  are  unknown, 
and  universal  content  prevails  among  the  wage-earning  classes.  A 
noteworthy  fact  in  this  connection  is  that  in  New  Zealand  there  is 
no  private  monopoly  of  franchise  privileges.  On  the  contrary,  all 
utilities  of  a  public  or  quasi-public  nature  are  controlled  by  the  public 
for  the  public  benefit.  A  rehearsal  of  the  advantages  of  collective 
ownership  of  public  utilities,  including  land  (which  is  the  source  of 
all  wealth),  the  means  of  production,  distribution  aud  communication. 


1C6  THE  CALCIUM  LIGHT 

cannot  be  attempted  in  this  volume,  for  its  proper  treatment  would 
fill  a  large  book  with  facts  and  figures  of  engaging  interest,  and  would 
impart  a  new^  inspiratioin  to  every  earnest  seeker  of  social  and 
temporal  advancement. 

CHAPTER  XX. 
DIRECT  LEGISLATION 

It  is  claimed  by  the  friends  and  expounders  of  the  philosophy 
and  urgent  need  of  direct  legislation,  through  the  initiative  and  refer- 
endum, that  it  will  prove  a  sheet  anchor  that  will  save  from  destruc- 
tion our  many  cherished  republican  institutions  which  are  now  being 
threatened  by  the  tidal  waves  of  imperialism  and  trust  control,  not 
only  of  all  branches  of  trade  and  commerce,  but  also  of  every  depart- 
ment of  our  national,  state  and  municipal  governments.  Direct  legis- 
lation means  legislation  by  the  people  as  a  whole.  It  would  deprive 
the  congress,  the  legislature  or  the  municipal  assembly  of  the  power 
to  enact  laws,  at  the  behest  of  wealthy  corporations,  that  would  be 
unjust  and  obnoxious  to  the  whole  body  of  citizens  of  the  nation,  state 
or  municipality  which  would  be  affected  by  such  laws.  Thus  it  is 
claimed  that  the  powerful  lobbies,  which  are  maintained  at  every 
capital  for  the  purpose  of  influencing  legislators  and  inducing  legisla- 
tion favorable  to  that  class  of  privilege  mongers  and  financial  specu- 
lators which,  has  from  time  immemorial  levied  tribute  upon  the  public 
through  the  aid  of  law-conferred  privileges  obtained  by  corrui^t  prac- 
tices, would  be  driven  out  of  existence,  because,  however  willing  the 
law-makers  might  be  to  sell  their  votes  and  their  influence  to  the 
lobbyist,  to  the  injury  of  the  constituents  who  had  given  them  their 
places  of  honor,  no  law  could  be  promulgated  and  placed  upon  the 
statute  books  until  after  its  ratification  by  a  vote  of  the  whole  people 
to  whom  its  provisions  would  apply.  It  is  also  claimed  that  with 
this  safeguard  thrown  around  the  people's  interests,  men  base  enough 
to  sell  their  votes  and  influence  for  personal  aggrandizement  would 
not  seek  election  to  the  various  law-making  bodies  of  the  country 
because  they  could  not  have  the  opportunity  to  fill  their  purses  with 
ill-gotten  wealth.  Only  honorable  men,  with  a  desire  to  "secure  the 
greatest  good  to  the  greatest  number,"  would  seek  or  accept  a  seat 
in  Congress,  in  the  state  legislature  or  in  the  municipal  assembly  if 
the  inception  of  all  legislation  (through  the  initiative)  and  its  final 
confirmation  (through  a  referendum  vote)  lay  in  the  people  themselves. 

Under  the  present  plan  of  operation  the  law-making  power  of  the 
counti'y  is  in  the  hands  of  a  comparatively  small  number  of  men,  all 
of  whom  except  the  United  States  senators,  are  chosen  at  stated  in- 


Turned  On  by  a  Railway  Trackman.  167 

tervals,  by  ballot,  at  general  elections  held  for  that  purpose.  The 
candidates  are  nominated  by  party  conventions  composed  of  delegates 
appointed  by  partisan  bodies  or  chosen  at  primary  elections,  the 
machinery  of  whith  is  too  often  in  the  hands  of  or  controlled  by  men 
who  are  stockholders  or  paid  agents  of  powerful  and  immensely  rich 
corporations,  much  of  whose  wealth  and  power  has  been  gained 
through  legislative  enactments  conferring  special  privileges  which 
are  but  the  legitimate  fruits  of  a  policy  under  which  the  candidate 
for  legislative  honors  must,  in  order  to  be  successful,  swap  privileges 
for  place.  It  matters  not  by  which  political  party,  or  by  how  many 
parties,  candidates  for  such  offices  are  placed  in  the  field.  The  same 
influences, surround  them  all.  If  by  any  chance  a  man  is  nominated 
who  is  avowedly  hostile  to  corporation  interests,  the  corporation 
lackeys  in  all  parties  will  unite  against  him,  but  if  in  spite  of  such 
opposition  he  secures  a  majority  of  the  ballots  cast,  the  election 
officials  will  count  him  out  at  the  behest  of  the  corporation-controlled 
machine  which  gave  them  their  appointment.  Thus  it  is  practically 
impossible  for  a  man  who  is  known  to  be  opposed  to  the  class  which 
thrives  on  special  privileges  to  get  a  seat  in  one  of  our  law-making 
bodies.  In  fact,  such  a  man  would  be  bitterly  opposed  by  the  corpo- 
ration interests  for  any  office  in  which  his  influence  might  be  hurtful 
to  them.  Having  learned  the  value  of  special  privileges,  the  class 
which  deals  in  them  also  knows  the  value  of  controlling  the  legisla- 
tive branches  of  government,  by  which  and  through  which  the^'  are 
created;  hence,  the  need  of  controlling  the  election  machinery.  The 
two  U.  S.  senators  from  each  state  are  elected  by  the  members  of  the 
state  legislature,  and  serve  for  a  term  of  six  years.  When  a  vacancy 
occurs  in  the  U.  S.  senate  through  the  death  or  resignation  of  a 
senator,  the  governor  of  the  state  which  was  represented  by  the  de- 
ceased or  retiring  senator  has  the  power  to  appoint  his  successor, 
provided  the  vacancy  occurs  during  the  recess  of  the  legislature. 
Thus  it  is  important  to  the  privilege  class  to  look  well  into  the  ante- 
cedents of  all  gubernatorial  aspirants,  for  a  governor's  influence  over 
the  members  of  his  state  legislature  is  such  as  to  make  him  a  "log- 
ical"  candidate  for  senatorial  honors;  but  even  if  he  should  not  en- 
tertain such  aspirations  there  is  always  the  chance  that  he  will  have 
the  naming  of  the  senator  from  his  state.  The  United  States  senate 
is  now  very  largely  composed  of  millionaires,  and  we  have  but  re- 
cently witnessed  the  spectacle  of  a  contest  between  two  millionaire 
copper  kings  of  Montana  (rivals  in  everything)  for  the  "honor"  of 
representing  the  "interests"  of  the  "dear  people  (!)"  of  that  state  in 
the  upper  house  of  congress.     So  anxious  were  these  rival  candidates 


168  THE  CALCIUM  LIGHT 

to  be  "lionored"  that  they  spent  millions  of  dollars  in  bribing  and  de- 
bauching the  legislators  who  held  the  power  to  confer  the  "honor.'^ 
Other  instances  of  a  similar  character  are  not  lacking,  but  this  will 
suffice.  If  several  legislators  can  get  |100,0()0  each  for  their  votes 
in  a  senatorial  contest,  like  the  above,  how  much  could  one  governor 
get  for  making  a  senatorial  appointment? 

Lender  our  form  of  representative  government  the  many  invest 
the  few  with  power  to  legislate  in  their  name  and  in  their  behalf. 
After  the  power  has  been  conferred,  petitions  and  protests  are  alike 
in  vain  to  secure  wholesome  legislation,  or  to  check  or  annul  that 
which  is  vicious.  The  people  can  resolve,  and  frequently  do  resolve, 
to  defeat  their  faithless  representatives  when  they  again  come  out  for 
office,  but  they  learn  to  their  dismay  that  not  only  has  the  same 
machine  which  nominated  the  first  set  of  faithless  officials  nominated 
their  successors,  but  that  the  same  interests  (which  control  all  party 
machines)  have  nominated  their  only  competitors,  leaving  the  voters 
the  alternative  of  choosing  between  "the  frying  pan  and  the  fire." 

Direct  legislation  by  means  of  the  initiative  and  referendum  is 
a  non-partisan  measure  of  reform  in  government,  which  is  meant  to 
destroy  the  power  of  the  few  in  control  to  impose  upon  the  many  such 
laws  as  the  ruling  class  may  deem  of  exceptional  value  to  their  own 
personal  and  selfish  interests,  and,  by  the  way,  self-interest  is  one 
of  the  strongest  and  most  persistent  of  all  human  motives.  Men  of 
all  parties  and  all  vocations,  who  have  taken  sufficient  interest  in  the 
affairs  of  state  to  learn  the  difference  between  right  and  wrong,  and 
who  have  been  influenced  in  their  investigations  by  a  desire  to  see 
right  principles  established,  have  heartily  indorsed  the  plan  of  direct 
legislation  as  the  most  feasible — in  fact,  the  only  plan  by  which 
many  of  the  reforms  now  imperatively  demanded  in  the  interest  of 
human  rights  can  be  secured. 

President  Gompers,  of  the  American  Federation  of  Labor,  tersely 
states  his  indorsement  of  the  plan,  as  well  as  that  of  organized  labor, 
in  the  following  words:  "I  have  full  faith  in  the  people.  The  safety 
of  the  future  as  well  as  the  interests  of  the  present  can  safely  be  en- 
trusted in  their  hands.  The  whole  are  more  honest,  more  intelligent 
than  the  few.  We  must  soon  choose  whether  we  are  to  have  an 
oligarchy  or  a  democracy.  All  lovers  of  the  human  family,  all  who 
earnestly  strive  for  political  reform,  economic  justice  and  social  en- 
franchisement must  range  themselves  on  the  side  of  organized  labor 
in  this  demand  for  direct  legislation." 

Reverend  Dr.  Lyman  Abbott,  editor  and  eminent  divine, "  says  r 
"In  my  judgment  the  remedy  for  the  evils  of  democracy  is  more- 


Turned  On  bv  a  Railway  Trackman.  169 

democracy;  a  fresh  appeal  from  the  few  to  the  many,  from  the  mana- 
gers to  the  people.  I  believe  in  the  referendum,  and,  within  limits, 
the  initiative,  because  it  is  one  form  of  this  appeal  from  the  few  to 
the  many,  from  forces  of  abstract  democraiy  to  democracy,  that  is 
the  rule  of  the  j)eople." 

William  Jennings  Bryan,  the  great  commoner,  who  has  twice 
been  nominated  for  the  presidency  of  the  Tnited  States  upon  a  plat- 
form which  meant  ''equal  rights  to  all;  special  privileges  to  none," 
gives  editorial  approval  as  follows:  "The  principle  of  the  initiative 
and  referendum  is  democratic.  It  will  not  be  opposed  by  any  demo- 
crat who  indorses  the  declaration  of  Jetferson,  that  the  people  are 
capable  of  self-government;  nor  will  it  be  opposed  by  any  Republican, 
who  holds  to  Lincoln's  idea  that  this  should  be  a  government  of  the 
people,  by  the  people  and  for  the  people." 

Hon.  David  B.  Henderson,  of  Iowa,  Republican  Congressman  and 
Speaker  of  the  House  of  Representatives,  says:  "It  would  be  a  great 
advantage  to  a  public  man  if  expressions  on  measures  could  be  had 
from  the  people,  *  *  *  and,  above  all  an  intelligent  expression 
of  the  mass  of  the  voters  on  any  and  all  leading  questions  would  be 
of  great  value  to  public  servants.  *  *  *  Whatever  is  done  should 
permit  the  fullest  discussion  before  the  vote  is  taken,  so  that  the  citi- 
zens may  compare  notes  fully  and  the  questions  discussed  may  enter 
into  the  campaigns  among  the  people." 

Hon.  John  P.  St.  John,  of  Kansas,  ex-governor  and  ex-presidential 
candidate  of  the  Prohibition  party,  has  this  to  say:  "I  might  write 
page  after  page  on  direct  legislation,  and  at  last  the  whole  of  it  could 
be  boiled  down  in  the  simple  statement  that  I  am  fully  convinced  that 
the  initiative  and  referendum  will  be  the  final  solution  of  the  ques- 
tion, 'How  can  reformers  be  gotten  together?'  In  view  of  the  brutal, 
unprovoked  murder  of  those  poor,  unarmed,  defenseless  miners  of 
Hazelton,  Pa.,  it  is  possible  that  the  one  great  question  that  will  over- 
shadow all  others  in  1904:  will  be  the  preservation  and  perpetuation 
of  human  liberty.  This  is  a  day  of  murder,  suicide,  robbery,  hunger 
and  starvation,  the  legitimate  fruits  of  government  controlled  by 
monopolies  and  trusts,  and  direct  legislation  would  give  back  to  the 
people  control  of  the  government." 

Hon.  John  Wanamaker,  ex-postmaster  general,  Sunday-school 
superintendent  and  merchant  prince,  gives  the  plan  this  concise  in- 
dorsement: "I  heartily  approve  of  the  idea  of  giving  the  people  a 
veto  on  corrupt  legislation.  The  movement  to  secure  for  the  people  a 
more  direct  and  immediate  control  over  legislation  shall  have  my  sup- 
port.    I  trust  such  a  movement  will  receive  the  thoughtful  attentioa 


170  THE  CAI.CIUM  UGHT 

of  all  who  would  improve  our  political  and  industrial  conditions,  I 
am  willing  to  trust  public  questions  to  the  intelligence  and  conscience 
of  the  people." 

Henr}'  D.  Lloyd,  famous  author,  says:  "Direct  legislation — the 
initiative  and  referendum — must  be  supported  by  every  true  believer 
in  free  government.  These  measures  contain  no  new  principle,  and 
their  machinery  already  exists  in  a  crude  form  in  our  government. 
The  initiative  and  referendum  simply  raise  these  principles  and  their 
application  to  the  highest  efficiency.  The  people,  excited  by  the  pur- 
suits of  prosperity  in  America,  which  has  been  a  universal  gold  dig- 
gings for  two  centuries,  have  carelessly  allowed  their  delegates  in 
party,  corporation  and  government  to  become  their  rulers,  and  they  are 
now  aw^akening  to  the  startling  fact  that  their  delegate  has  become 
their  exploiter.  The  people  are  losing  the  control  of  their  govern- 
ment, the  most  powerful  instrumentality  for  the  creation  and  distribu- 
tion of  wealth  in  society.  Its  government  must  be  recovered  by  the 
American  people,  peaceably,  if  possible;  but  it  must  be  recovered. 
Direct  legislation  would  be  the  ideal  means  for  this  peaceable  revolu- 
tion. If  the  revolution  is  to  be  accomplished  otherwise,  direct  legisla- 
tion will  stand  forth  in  the  new  order  as  the  only  means  for  express- 
ing the  popular  will  that  a  free  people  will  exercise.  No  future  re- 
public will  ever  repeat  the  mistake  of  giving  its  delegates  the  oppor- 
tunity to  become  its  masters." 

Thousands  of  indorsements  similar  in  character  to  those  above 
quoted  have  been  given  to  the  plan  of  direct  legislation,  but  space 
forbids  a  more  extended  notice  in  this  book.  The  object  of  this  chap- 
ter is  to  cause  those  who  may  be  interested  in  the  public  weal,  those 
who  are  not  completely  wrapped  up  in  sordid  self-interest,  to  study 
the  merits  and  demerits  of  this  great  question  in  the  hope  that  all 
sincere  reformers  and  unselfish  seekers  of  the  public  good  may  ulti- 
mately unite  upon  one  plan  of  action  and,  by  applying  the  principle 
of  unionism  to  their  now  disorganized  endeavors,  secure  to  mankind 
the  blessings  which  would  follow  the  adoption  of  this  principle  of 
right  government. 


1 
() 


tmm 


mm 


■ii"l»'gi^" 


WJtl.W^^t  t'^F^giP^WW^ig^'— ■#■#— ^ 


